[Open] Research Assistant (GIS & Data Systems Integration)

Department:

Location: Centre for Water Informatics & Technology (WIT), School of Science and Engineering 

Job Level: 

Full-time (Single Position)

Position Purpose: 

The selected candidate will be responsible for the technical deployment, configuration, and maintenance of integrated data platforms. This role focuses on system administration and integration, requiring the candidate to set up and connect open-source server applications (Database, Map Server, Dashboarding) on Linux environments to create unified visualization and decision-support systems.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates are requested to submit their CVs to hrwit@lums.edu.pk, using the subject line: Research Assistant (GIS & Data Systems Integration).

Main Responsibilities

  • Systems Integration & Linux Administration: Install, configure, and maintain the open-source software stack (PostgreSQL, GeoServer, Grafana) on Linux-based servers. Ensure all components are correctly integrated via APIs to verify system uptime, security, and data flow.
  • Geospatial Database Management: Administer the central PostgreSQL database by enabling PostGIS extensions, managing user roles, and optimizing SQL queries to handle large spatial datasets effectively.
  • Dashboard Configuration: Develop and customize Grafana dashboards, creating SQL-based visualizations to display spatial trends and configuring alerts for system monitoring.
  • Digital Field Data Workflow: Configure QGIS (desktop) and QField (mobile) workflows to enable offline field data collection and seamless synchronization with the central database.
  • Service Configuration (MQTT): Set up and manage lightweight messaging brokers (e.g., Mosquitto) to act as gateways for incoming telemetry, ensuring the server is ready to accept real-time sensor data.
  • Documentation: Maintain detailed technical documentation of server configurations, API endpoints, and system architecture to ensure reproducibility.                        

Qualification

A BS degree in Computer Science, Geoinformatics, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field is required. An MS in GIS, Data Science, or a related field will be considered an added advantage.

Experience

Applicants should have 0–2 years of experience in full-stack development, with specific exposure to GIS backends or data visualization platforms, including experience deploying open-source technology stacks (e.g., PostgreSQL, Grafana) in a production environment. Experience working with water sector data or environmental monitoring projects, as well as familiarity with cloud service providers (AWS, Azure) or local virtual machine management, will be considered an added advantage.

Knowledge

Applicants must demonstrate a strong understanding of geospatial databases (SQL) and GIS architectures, with proficiency in Linux environments, including command-line operations, package management, and service configuration. Candidates should also possess solid knowledge of database administration, particularly PostgreSQL, as well as web server technologies, including HTTP, APIs, and reverse proxy configuration (e.g., Nginx, Apache). Familiarity with water quality parameters or environmental monitoring standards, and an understanding of IoT protocols (such as MQTT) and API integrations, will be considered an added advantage.

Skills and Attributes

Applicants should have hands-on experience with PostgreSQL/PostGIS, GeoServer, and Grafana, and be able to write integration scripts (Python/Bash) to connect tools. Strong problem-solving skills for troubleshooting system and integration issues are required. Familiarity with QGIS/QField, basic understanding of IoT protocols (MQTT), and foundational frontend skills (HTML/JavaScript) are desirable.

Travel

Occasional (For field visits or stakeholder meetings) 

Work Schedule

Standard 40 Hours per week