Are you a professional with vast experience in scientific data management? Do you have experience in data analysis, visualization and reporting? Do you enjoy working in a challenging international environment? If so, CMRE is looking for you!

POST CONTEXT

This is a position within the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). CMRE is an established, world-class scientific research and experimentation facility that organizes and conducts scientific research and technology development, centred on the maritime domain, delivering innovative and field tested Science & Technology (S&T) solutions to address defence and security needs of the Alliance.

The position is within the Research Division (RD), which leads the development of CMRE’s scientific strategy and through its capability in ocean sensing, numerical modelling, big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), data fusion, signal processing, and autonomy, delivers the Centre’s S&T goals while maintaining CMRE’s reputation within the scientific community.

The Research Division is composed of the following Departments:

1. Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW)

2. Naval Mine Countermeasures (NMCM)

3. Data & Environmental Knowledge and Operational Effectiveness (D-EKOE)

4. Maritime Unmanned Systems Enablers (MUSE)

5. Climate Change and Security (CCAS)

Each of the departments listed above will hire a data assistant. For D-EKOE, there will be one data assistant for each of DKOE and EKOE; therefore, 6 positions are being offered. Please indicate your department preference (if any).

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Enforce data and analytics governance policies created by the CMRE data and analytics governance structure, as per internal policies defined by the CMRE Divisions in coordination with the IT Steering Committee;

Provide the technical support for the long-term curation of scientific data, ensuring the harmonization of CMRE data management practices (e.g. data management plan for projects and sea trials, harmonizing data/metadata formats, enforcing the use of standards, streamlining data processing) and the compliance with NATO data management policies, which establish data as an Enterprise Resource;

Work within and beyond their immediate area to implement change in support of the adoption of data governance policies. Act as liaison between: Research Division/Engineering and Information Technology Division– Software Development & Data Management Section; CMRE Data Management ecosystem and external initiatives and industrial/scientific best practices;

Responsible for implementing data and analytics auditing activities, to control data and data-generating processes, according to governance policies;

Process data from the scientific activity of the Departments;

When required, archiving scientific data into adequate standards; manage real-time monitoring of telemetered data; following administrative tasks including purchasing and registering new sensors and scientific equipment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DUTIES

a. Flexibility Clause

The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as directed.

All other related duties should correspond with the required competencies for the job.

b. Deployment/Travel

The incumbent may be required to perform his/her duties onboard Centre or chartered vessels. The incumbent may be required to undertake TDY assignments within and outside NATO boundaries.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

a. Professional/Experience

• Experience in scientific data management and in one or more among data analysis, visualization and reporting;
• Understanding of how data are used within scientific processes and the impact on desired scientific process outcomes;
• Understanding of the importance and impact of data (or bad data) on the ability of projects to meet their own objectives;
• Background in modern software development and scripting languages with a focus on data applications and databases;
• Professional experience with: scientific data and metadata formats; interoperability standards, conventions and best practices for scientific data; storage systems, DBMS technologies and data APIs usage; data curation, data quality, cataloguing, tagging best practices and techniques; data pipeline/workflow and ETL techniques.

Specific requirements/familiarity requested for different Departments:

• CCAS    Professional experience with NetCDF data, Pangeo community, data processing using Python deployed to cloud infrastructure
• EKOE    Marine/Meteo data portals, underwater acoustics and bioacoustics repositories
• MCM     Proficient in Python. Familiarity with autonomous vehicles, underwater acoustics and underwater sensors.

b. Education/Training

MSc degree in a relevant discipline (e.g.: software engineering, geographic information systems, computer science, data science, geo-informatic engineering) with at least 1 year post-MSc experience.

c. Language Requirements

A thorough knowledge of one of the two NATO languages, both written and spoken, is essential and some knowledge of the other is desirable.

English SLP 3333

NOTE: Most of the work of CMRE is conducted in the English language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency with Linux, rsync, git and bash scripting;
• Professional experience in scientific computing in one or more among oceanography and environmental applications, image processing, signal processing and statistics;
• Professional experience in programming languages such as C , R, Java, and Fortran;
• Expertise in database access and scientific data formats such as XML, NetCDF, wav, and GRIB is also desired;
• Professional experience with code versioning tools, Linux-based operating systems.

COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate possesses the following competencies / personal attributes:

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written – able to communicate at all levels;
• Very good interpersonal skills. Solicits inputs and encourages others;
• Innovative and driven. Always displaying sound judgement;
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.

All CMRE personnel are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the current NATO Code of Conduct agreed by the North Atlantic Council (NAC), and thus display the core values of integrity, impartiality, loyalty, accountability, and professionalism.

REMARKS

The duties are performed in an office, laboratory, workshop environment or on-board Centre ships.

About Us:

The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is part of the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO).  The mission of the STO is to help position both national and NATO science and technology investments as a strategic enabler and technology advantage for the defence and security posture of NATO Allies and partners. The Centre conducts scientific research and technology development and delivers innovative field-tested S&T solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance. CMRE has more than 60 years of experience and has produced a cadre of leaders in ocean science, modelling and simulation, acoustics and other disciplines, as well as producing critical results and understanding that have been built into the operational concepts of NATO and the Nations.

What we offer:

• Salary (Pay Basis): 4,054.59 (EUR) Monthly*

*Salary value as per 2023. Subject to future adjustments in accordance with North Atlantic Council decisions.

• Grade ABCL grade B4/5 / NATO grade G10/12
• A world class research facility located in the sea port of La Spezia, Italy supported by two specialised research vessels. 
• An exciting place in which to work situated at an ideal location, the port of La Spezia, Italy, enabling synergy with regional and global academic institutes and industry.
• Salary and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations (NCPR), which includes a rewarding salary and a comprehensive system of allowances, supplements and insurances to support families and, in case of expatriated staff, offers an interesting “expatriate” package. 
• A generous annual leave and, (where eligible) home leave.
• The successful candidate will be offered a three years’ definite duration contract which may be renewed for subsequent periods subject to business needs, satisfactory performance and the need to rotate skills and talent within the Organization.

 – ONLY FOR TWIN GRADED POSITIONS –

 NOTE:

Typically, candidates for twin-graded posts will be appointed at the lower grade. Advancement to the higher grade is not automatic, and will not normally take place during the first three years of service in the post.

Under specific circumstances, serving staff members may be appointed directly to the higher grade, and a period of three years might be reduced by up to twenty four months for external candidates.

• Applicants who prove to be competent for the post but who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, which might become vacant in the near future, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

 Our recruitment process:

• Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.
• Applications (including the most relevant publications, the diplomas – stating the highest level of education – and a CV) for this vacancy are to be submitted using the E-recruitment system;
• Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate’s medical file by the CMRE Medical Adviser.

Additional information:

• CMRE values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We welcome applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourage women to apply.
• Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.