Digital Forestry Database Developer

The Digital Forestry Database Developer with the Institute for Digital Forestry is a competent and productive professional who works with project faculty and occasionally graduate students, and other staff supporting scientific and research endeavors in several sponsored research programs including invasive insects and plants, mychorrizae, and geospacial analysis of forestlands. The Digital Forestry Database Developer translates researcher’s needs and requirements into technical database implementation that encompass data transport, quality assurance, cleansing, profiling, metadata enrichment, provenance and lineage, etc. from a variety of sources into appropriate file stores, databases, and other data stores. This position also helps design and implement effective practices for data stewardship that enhance accessibility and reusability of research data by following procedures for quality assurance and control, generating metadata, implementing consistent organizational schemas for data sets, and other best practices. In addition, the Digital Forestry Database Developer assists with the requirements, planning, and implementation of data-related cyberinfrastructure to meet the needs of researchers.

The Institute for Digital Forestry is a transdisciplinary collaboration of over 35 investigators from the colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, Libraries, Polytechnic and Science that integrates expertise in AI/ML, computer applications and modeling, geosciences, forest management, satellite and drone sensing platforms, and social sciences and education. Purdue’s Institute for Digital Forestry is a leading academic institution in this nascent field. Institute for Digital Forestry (purdue.edu)

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field
• 2 years of experience in one or more of the following areas: data analytics, data science, data modeling, programming, application development, database management, distributed data pipelines
• Excellent communications skills in a customer-facing or relationship-building role, especially in translating customer needs into technical requirements and designs
• Knowledge of statistical or analytical algorithm implementation, data interpretation, data processing, or modeling
• Geospatial data tool skills such as Esri ArcGIS, QGIS, or geospatial programming packages
• Programming skills in general purpose (e.g., Python) or statistical languages (e.g., R)
• Capable time and project management skills

• Experience working with research data or other forms of unstructured data, and applying data management best practices
• Experience collaborating with small research, data, or technology teams on interdisciplinary projects
• Interest in agriculture or engineering domains (e.g., Agronomy, Plant sciences, Forestry, Geospacial or Environmental Engineering, etc.)

• This position is funded through January 2028. Continuation will be dependent on additional funding. Benefits do apply.
• Learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary, https://bit.ly/3sHGbls
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A Background Check is required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

All university employees are afforded a generous benefits package, https://www.purdue.edu/hr/benewell/index.php, including medical/dental/vision insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions. As part of Purdue University’s expansive employee benefit package, the University is proud to offer its employees the opportunity to grow, learn, and advance by offering a tuition remission opportunity at both Purdue University and Purdue Global.

Take Your Next Giant Leap

We never stop, we keep going, because Discovery is in our DNA, and we want you to discover a Career at Purdue University! Come work alongside a family of diverse culture with faculty, students, and staff who come together to become one, Boilermakers! Our greatest adventures are yet to come, and we want to include you.

Come take your Next Giant Leap and Discover your next career!