Ontologist / Semantic Architect

The Respectful Terminologies Platform Project (RTPP) is a key project of the National Indigenous Knowledge Language Alliance (NIKLA-ANCLA). The project builds on the efforts of generations of Indigenous people and allies working to create an Indigenous-centered platform featuring terminology that more accurately represents Indigenous cultural heritage and lived experience. The goal is to build an open, online platform providing multilingual terminologies and vocabularies (or metadata) that reflect Indigenous knowledge systems, histories, cultures, places, and people from our perspectives. Research is focused on working with Indigenous communities and allies to develop Indigenous protocols and community-driven solutions for controlled vocabularies. It will be used by museums, archives, libraries, cultural centres, and other knowledge organizations to enrich the information they share. Most importantly, it enables Indigenous communities to be known by the names and terms we determine for ourselves. The project has received a 1.8 million dollar grant to create and test prototypes of the project.

Reporting to the Respectful Terminologies Platform Project (RTPP) Co-Leads, the Ontologist/Semantic Analyst will be a part of the project team and will recommend, plan, test and implement metadata schemas and vocabulary structures. They will support the creation of the RTPP prototype. The prototype will support workflows to create structured vocabularies related to Indigenous communities. Particular attention will be paid to the possible integration of these structures into a variety of metadata management systems, including library and archival collection platforms. They will help develop data models; scope prototype development in relation to vocabularies; and advise on data governance, scale, sustainability and maintenance.

The successful applicant may work in-person on campus at Dalhousie University, primarily remotely, or perform a hybrid of the two as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi'kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity