Position Title:  Geographic Information System (GIS) Research Assistant
Department:    Population Cancer Research Program, Dalhousie University
Location:         Dalhousie University

Temporary / Full time: 2.5 years fixed term (with potential for 6 month extension)
Closing Date: 23^rd October 2009, Start Date: As soon as possible
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience

Job Summary
The GIS specialist will work on a Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (CCSRI) funded project exploring arsenic in drinking water and cancer risk.  The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research team with expertise in epidemiology, health geography, GIS, statistics, cancer registry data and environmental chemistry.  The post is based in the Population Cancer Research Program (PCRP), an expanding research unit at Dalhousie University that is developing a wide portfolio of research projects related to cancer, chronic diseases and health care utilisation.

The successful candidate will identify, collate, manipulate and analyse environmental GIS datasets in order to develop a statistical model to predict the occurrence of arsenic in drinking water supplies in Nova Scotia.  The post holder will use well water data to map potential arsenic exposure across the province; including georeferencing, cleaning, manipulating, analysing and mapping the data using ArcGIS.  Other duties will include, mapping and spatial analysis of cancer data, involvement in project meetings; project development; literature searches and reviews; assistance with knowledge dissemination, including contributing to the preparation and dissemination of reports and research papers; and input into the research goals of the PCRP. 

Education & Experience:

• University degree in geography or environmental science with at least a postgraduate qualification in GIS.  Experience with ArcGIS is essential and use of spatial analyst, geostatistical analyst, arc editor is required.  Experience and/or interest in health related studies is required.  

Skills:

• Experience with ArcGIS is required, experience with STATA for statistical analysis is an asset
• High degree of computer literacy, including proficiency with databases (such as MS Access)
• Competence and ability to work with large GIS datasets with a high regard for data quality
• Competence and ability to capture, clean, georeference and manipulate GIS datasets
• Competence and ability to use ArcGIS analysis modules, such as spatial analyst, geostatistical analyst, spatial statistics to model and analyse geographic data
• Experience in a research environment and/or training in research methodology
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as a team member
• Demonstrated planning, organizational, prioritization and time management skills
• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills
• Skills in critical evaluation and interpretation of results
• Proven ability to pay attention to detail and accuracy and meet deadlines

Duties

• Identify, capture, clean and manipulate GIS datasets, including well water supply data, geological data, landuse information, soil datasets, etc.
• Perform data cleaning and data verification activities
• Perform spatial joins and data layer integration
• Perform spatial and geostatistical analysis in ArcGIS version 9
• Prepare maps and written and tabular summaries of data analysis and interpretation of results
• Conduct and assist with online searches and literature reviews
• Contribute to the preparation and distribution of research report(s) and research articles
• Assist in knowledge dissemination events that may include international conferences
• Assist with administrative duties pertaining to research, i.e. maintaining project records

Please send Covering Letter, CV and contact information, including current email addresses, of three references to: 

Dr Trevor Dummer
Population Cancer Research Program
Dalhousie University
Goldberg Computer Science Building
6050 University Avenue, Halifax, B3H 1W5
Fax: 902 494 2089
Email: trevor.dummer@iwk.nshealth.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest.  Only those invited for an interview will be contacted. 

Please quote competition number GRA0510-CB.