Improving Marine Regions, the GIS standard for marine biogeography

Marine Regions is a global geographic database containing georeferenced geo-objects on (i) marine place names and (ii) maritime boundaries. For example, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a country’s basic geo-unit for the management of marine natural resources and fisheries. These boundaries and other derived products from Marine Regions are used in bio-geographic information systems, such as the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) and global research projects such as the Sea Around Us project, Global Fishing Watch or The Ocean Health Index.

The student will be involved in specific tasks for extending the database, analyzing the content or the use of our data systems, or outreach.

The student will have the opportunity to work and be trained by the Data Centre of Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), an accredited data centre with a long history in the management of marine data. The Data Centre currently coordinates several databases/projects of international importance such as EMODnet Biology, EurOBIS, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), LifeWatch.be and Marine Regions.

Language requirements: 
English or Dutch
Specific competences required : 
we are looking for a motivated student with some skills in GIS, data management and/or programming that is eager to learn.
Safety issues: 
None
Accommodation possibilities : 
No
Additional costs to be covered by the student: 
Yes
Describe the additional costs to be covered by the student: 
Bring your own lunch. Public transport to and from Ostend is covered by VLIZ.