Archive Engineer, Buddhist Digital Resource Center, Cambridge, MA
Posted September 28, 2017
The Buddhist Digital Resource Center, Inc. is seeking an Archive Engineer to help maintain and improve the technological infrastructure of our digitization and archiving systems.
About BDRC
The Buddhist Digital Resource Center, Inc. (BDRC) applies the transformative power of technology to the digital preservation of Buddhist texts from around world. The organization has created a dynamic forward-thinking cutting edge digital library through an engaged program of digital preservation and online accessibility. Used on a daily basis by thousands of users around the world, this resource has transformed inquiry into the Buddhist textual heritage, while providing measurable, pragmatic results.
Founded as Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center (TBRC) in 1999 by the legendary scholar E. Gene Smith (1936-2010), the organization’s impact was documented in a feature length documentary. In 2016, TBRC expanded its mission and changed its name to Buddhist Digital Resource Center. The new name represents the organization’s expanded mission to preserve and make accessible Buddhist texts, not only in Tibetan language, but also in the many languages in which Buddhism has been expressed, including Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese, and others. By adding “digital”, the name also more explicitly connects to the mission of the organization, which is to preserve and share Buddhist texts digitally through the union of technology and scholarship. BDRC is poised to expand its organizational expertise and capacity to a truly global audience. BDRC has a team of 10 permanent staff in Cambridge with an annual operating budget of approximately $1.5 million, and offices in New Delhi, Bangkok, now in Hangzhou. BDRC’s head office is located in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.
Opportunity
The Archive Engineer (AE) will be tasked with developing automation for the processing, delivery, and publishing of digital assets along with maintaining existing software and systems associated with our digitization process. The AE will be primarily working on our Harvard DRS deposit project which involves uploading millions of digital assets to the Harvard Library for long-term storage and preservation of our digital archive. The AE will also assist the Archive Manager in the day-to-day operations of the digitization process, along with the maintenance and troubleshooting of BDRC’s software, servers, and workstations. This is a great opportunity for a technical person to contribute to the exciting process of bringing sacred texts online.
Responsibilities
- Create and maintain scripts to interface with the Harvard DRS deposit system and the ensure efficiency and integrity of uploaded material to Harvard’s Digital Library
- Maintain and troubleshoot Unix scripts involved in the digitization process both in Cambridge and remote locations
- Create scripts and automation for auditing and normalization of assets in our digital archive
- Maintain Core Text Collection (CTC) subscriber access
- Create CTC hard drives and any other physical media needed for subscribers and donors
- Assist with processing and uploading of digital assets as needed
Requirements
- Familiarity with Unix and Mac systems
- Scripting knowledge – bash and Python
- Familiarity with NAS, routers, switches
- Knowledge of AWS is preferred, but not required
- Knowledge of digital imaging a plus
- Background in Network Administration essential
- Background in Computer Science preferred
How to apply:
Please send a cover letter and C.V. to Travis DeTour. This is a part-time position with potential to become full-time. The position is based in our Cambridge location (no remote option).
https://www.tbrc.org/#!footer/news/archiveengineer