La Rochelle University is recruiting a Data Engineer as part of the LIFE MARAISILIENCE project on a fixed-term contract for 12.5 months, renewable.

Description of the  project 

The LIFE Maraisilience project, coordinated by the Marais Poitevin Regional Nature Park, aims to create a Climate Observatory to improve the management of environmental, climatic and socio-economic data for this area. The Communauté d'Agglomération (CdA) and La Rochelle University (LRU) are major players in sustainable development and the ecological transition in La Rochelle and the Marais Poitevin, both of which are beneficiaries of the LIFE Maraisilience project.

Research context

As part of the LIFE Maraisilience project, the aim is to set up a "Climate Observatory". To achieve this, a data management platform needs to be set up to centralise analyse and disseminate relevant information to local stakeholders. This pooling of data in a single location will promote a socio-ecosystemic approach to the Marais Poitevin, encouraging cross-disciplinary projects and supporting the sustainable development of this coastal area. The consistency and value of the data will enable a better understanding of the area and optimised management.

The platform will integrate existing data and data to be collected over the four years of the project (carbon sinks, socio-economic data, biodiversity, sediment dynamics, GHG emissions), which will be used to enrich future scenarios and accompanying actions.

Drawing on tools such as the GEO Solutions GIS deployed by the La Rochelle conurbation, the TERREZE platform developed as part of the "La Rochelle Territoire Zéro Carbone" (LRTZC) project, and the initiatives of the Urban and Coastal Lab La Rochelle (UCLR), the LIFE Maraisilience Observatory will be implemented within the framework of local initiatives.

Missions

Design of the observatory:

• Analyse stakeholder needs
• Draft functional and technical specifications in conjunction with stakeholders
• Design the site's navigation tree 
• Creating wireframes

Implementation and integration of the:

• Implement data structuring and automated data collection processes throughout the project, in collaboration with UCLR (LRU).
• Prepare and integrate existing data (carbon sinks, biodiversity, sediment dynamics, etc.).
• Guaranteeing the consistency, quality and security of data, using existing storage and retrieval systems (GEO Key observatory) tailored to users' needs.

Data analysis and enhancement:

• Create and maintain dashboards, reports and visualisations to meet the needs of local players.
• Ensuring the formatting of data from the various project stakeholders (on carbon sinks, sediment dynamics, GHG emissions, etc.) to feed the use cases and support future scenarios.

Project management:

• Participating in the coordination of project phases linked to data collection and processing (e.g. future scenarios, change management).
• Work with local stakeholders (local authorities, researchers, citizens) and project partners to ensure that the tools are properly understood and used.

Maintenance and technological developments:

• Ensuring that the platform is ready for use.
• Monitor technological developments in climate, environmental and open-source data management solutions.
• Anticipating changes in user needs and integrating advanced tools, such as digital twins, to facilitate decision-making.

This position represents a unique opportunity to contribute to a major environmental project, at the intersection of data technologies and the ecological transition in a rich and complex area such as the Marais Poitevin.