AI Data Scientist/Postdoctoral Computational Biologist for Multi-scale Crop Phenotyping and Trait Analysis

Location: Cambridge, CB3 0LE

Closing date: 7 April 2024 with interviews being held on w/b 29 April 2024

Contract: 16-month fixed term contract commencing June/July 2024

Working hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Hybrid working is possible.

Use your AI and computer vision skills to help develop sustainable and climate-resilient crops key to the UK and global agriculture.  

ABOUT THE JOB

Using beyond the state-of-the-art machine learning, computer vision and sensing technologies, you will be immersed in an exceptional research environment, enabling you to develop your career in basic and applied crop research on multi-scale crop phenotyping, AI-powered biological informatics, dynamic crop characterisation, and climate-resilient crops.

We are seeking an artificial intelligence (AI) Data Scientist or a Post-doctoral Computational Biologist to work on advanced algorithmic development, AI/deep learning, and software implementation for automated trait analysis, vision-based AI modelling, large language model (LLM) and intelligent agents (AI agents) based omics analytics. The aim is to mine biological relevant information from big crop phenotyping and omics datasets to help UK and developing counties in Africa develop climate-resilient crops and AI-powered toolkits that can be used by local breeders and farmers.

You will work with world-leading research groups and prestigious research institutes such as INRAe, One CGIAR, the Crop Science Centre (the University of Cambridge), and the University of Angers. Together we will develop novel AI solutions to characterise crop varieties and vigour in wheat, potato and horticulture crops such as apples that are key to the UK, France, and developing counties in Africa. You will focus on novel object detection, segmentation, object tracking, LLM and AI agents powered crop growth and development models under rapidly changing climate.

You shall be enthusiastic about bridging the gap between lab-based research and in-field applications in crop breeding and agricultural production, making global impacts within a short framework. Your communication skills will be used in promoting research work through scientific presentations and academic publications, helping group leader develop cross-country collaborations with our partners around the world. This role will be reviewed and may be extended, depending on future funding.

The role is based at NIAB Headquarters, Cambridge CB3 0LE with occasional travel to Kent, France, and partner countries in Africa. HQ has free on-site parking and is 2 miles from Cambridge city centre, linked by extensive cycle ways and regular buses.

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Prof. Ji Zhou, Head of the Data Sciences Department at NIAB on ji.zhou@niab.com (https://www.niab.com/about/people/professor-ji-zhou).

Benefits include 25 days holiday plus public holidays and 3 paid days off over Christmas, flexible working, generous sick pay, attractive pension scheme, income protection, life assurance, employee discount scheme, free on-site parking and great colleagues.

ABOUT YOU

Essential Requirements

You shall have:

• BSc or MSc in computing sciences, computer vision, artificial intelligence or equivalent
• Good understanding of image analysis and computer vision
• Experience in vision-based trait analysis
• Software development skills, e.g. Python programming
• Deep learning and machine learning knowledge
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Dedicated and a team player

Desirable Requirements

Ideally you also have:

• PhD in computer vision, machine learning or computing sciences, or equivalent
• Experience in computer vision and trait analysis
• Algorithmic design in AI modelling, deep learning and implementation experience
• Database development, GUI- and cloud-based computing knowledge
• Skills in Java programming, plant and crop phenotyping toolkits

Training will be provided. No relocation expenses payable. See full Job Description on our website for more details.

ABOUT US

As the UK’s leading crop science organisation, NIAB has research capabilities in plant genetics, agronomy, farming systems and data sciences, and strong multi-scale phenotyping research links with industry, government, and academia. NIAB has acclaimed multi-scale crop phenotyping and AI-powered trait analysis capabilities, as well as a UK-leading high-performance computing (HPC) and GPU clusters infrastructure for model training and AI implementation, jointly established with James Hutton Institute and other partner institutes in the UK.

With headquarters in Cambridge, and regional offices across the country, employing more than 400 people across the UK, NIAB advances the role of plant genetic and crop improvement through research services and training. NIAB’s position at the interface of academic research and commercial breeding and growing sectors offers opportunities for collaborations across the plant research and agriculture sectors to ensure food security and sustainable agriculture, both nationally and internationally. 

NIAB actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. As a Disability Confident Employer, we have a positive approach to employing people living with a disability.

How to APPLY

Click the ‘Apply’ button above for further details and to apply directly. Any questions? Email jobs@niab.com or call Human Resources on 01223 342282.