The project involves extracting qualitative weather remarks from a large database of digitized historical weather observation forms. An extraction process has already been created, using a vision-language model (VLM) to read each scanned form and identify qualitative remarks. The current job will involve completing a production run of the extraction process, manually reviewing the production results to ensure accuracy, determining whether post-processing filters are required to improve the production run, and co-writing (with the researcher - Alan MacEachern) a final report that documents methodology and initial findings.
Qualifications
Education:
- Graduate Degree in History preferably with experience in software development and/or big data analysis
Experience:
- 2 years' work experience supporting research in a related technical field
Skills, Abilities & Expertise:
- Familiarity with techniques for updating, managing and extracting data from a research database
- Familiarity with University research policies and practices preferred
- Familiarity with experimental design and analysis
- Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to document technical information
- Attention to detail with an ability to retrieve, analyze and synthesize sizable amounts of data, while ensuring that information is accurate and comprehensive
- Ability to follow processes with high attention to detail
- Ability to employ a systematic and efficient approach to work
- Computer skills with the ability to learn and use software programs
- Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative, to work independently and follow through on work assignments
- Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
- Ability to collect and analyze data in an objective manner
- Multi-tasking skills to prioritize and consistently produce high-quality work within deadlines
- Ability to investigate defined issues, solicit input, and suggest remedies and alternative approaches that meet the needs of the situation
- Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
