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VLIZ recruits: Data scientist for the World Register of Marine Species
VLIZ - Flanders Marine Institute
Data Science
Posted on Oct 7, 2025
Join us and become a member of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) Data Management Team.
The MarineLife+ team groups all activities centered around the taxonomic, biogeographic and traits databases (=biodiversity data) that are developed, hosted and maintained by VLIZ. A key data infrastructure maintained within the team is Aphia, the backbone for the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).
The MarineLife+ team of the VLIZ Data Centre is looking for a data scientist to support the WoRMS Data Management Team. One of the WoRMS priorities is to document and disambiguate all marine species authorships. This task is not only a priority for the WoRMS Steering Committee, but also a high-level commitment by WoRMS within the UN Ocean Decade as well as a specific contribution to the Distributed System of Scientific Collections initiative – DiSSCo Flanders.
OUR OFFER
- A challenging job with a one-year contract in a vibrant and international environment at Innovocean Campus, with the possibility of extension depending on future project funding.
- A competitive remuneration package based on the candidate's qualifications and experience according to the salary scales set forth by the Flemish Government on 01-01-2009.
- Additional benefits: holiday allowance, end of year allowance, meal vouchers, bicycle allowance, free public transport between home and work.
- A good work-life balance through a generous leave package, flexible working hours within a 38-hour working week.
- The possibility to work partly from home after an induction period.
- Opportunities for personal development (training).
YOUR TASKS
- Text-mine original species descriptions and transferring data and information into WoRMS.
- Connect and collaborate with the DiSSCo and WikiData community, to assign unique identifiers to species authors within WoRMS.
- Assist in the organization of WoRMS-related workshop(s) and/or hackathon(s), to complete authorship information.
- Document your work, used processes and decision-making in a detailed manner.
- Participate in all data management activities of the WoRMS Data Management Team related to taxonomic tasks within ongoing (European) projects.
- When required, represent WoRMS and your work at meetings, workshops and/or conferences.
For each function, VLIZ considers enthusiastic involvement, service minded, excellent professionalism and integrity as important characteristics.
YOUR PROFILE
- A master’s degree in marine sciences.
- No previous work experience required. A strong interest in taxonomy and WoRMS in general is a must.
- Willingness to work in a largely international context.
- Communication (verbal and writing) skills: fluent in English. Good knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
- Curious, eager to learn and excellent organizational skills.
- Good management and interpersonal skills: able to work both individually and in team and take ownership of assigned tasks.
ABOUT US
Over the last 25 years, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) has become a knowledge institution indispensable to the marine research landscape. What started as an institute focusing on science support, has evolved into a national and international point of contact for marine research. VLIZ initiates and carries out multidisciplinary research and supports marine experts by providing research infrastructure, data, information and knowledge. VLIZ supports the blue economy and reaches out to a broad public. VLIZ further broadens its marine horizons and aims at becoming a world player in the field of marine and coastal research.
A stimulating working environment forms the base of our flourishing knowledge institute. The wellbeing of our employees comes first. VLIZ is looking for colleagues who, with their passion and knowledge, want to strengthen our growing institute and face the blue challenges of the future.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information concerning this vacancy, please contact Leen Vandepitte: leen.vandepitte@vliz.be.
DOES THIS VACANCY APPEAL TO YOU?
Send in your cover letter and CV no later than 12 October 2025 by filling in this form:
Application Form: Data scientist for the World Register of Marine Species | Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
VLIZ promotes equality and diversity in the workplace. You will be recruited based on competencies.
Qualities of people are decisive, regardless of gender, religion, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation or any disability.
Do you have a disability? Please attach a document to your application so that we can adapt our selection procedure where necessary. This information will be handled with discretion.
PROCEDURE
Based on the received cover letters and CV’s a select group of candidates will be invited for a job interview in the week of October 20th. You will be informed by email.
The job interviews take place in the offices of VLIZ in the week of November 3-7.