Location: Cambridgeshire
Closing date: 07 Mar 2023
Reference number: T/413
Location: Cambridge, CB3 0LE
Salary: £35,000 to £41,450 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience
Contract: 36-month fixed term contract in the first instance
Working hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Hybrid working possible
Use your informatics, AI and image analysis skills to help develop more sustainable crops
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 research on dynamic plant-pathology, climate-resilient crops, and multi-scale crop informatics.
We are seeking a Post-doctoral Computational Biologist or Senior Data Scientist to work on advanced algorithmic development in automated image analysis, vision-based artificial intelligence (AI) modelling and omics analytics. The aim is to mine meaningful information from big biological data to help UK and developing counties in Africa develop resistant crops.
You will work with world leading breeding companies and prestigious UK research institutes such as the Crop Science Centre (University of Cambridge). Together we lead the development of novel AI-powered solutions to characterise holistic and dynamic plant-pathology interactions to design the next-generation resistant crops under climate changes. Your duties will be focused on novel tracking algorithm design, 2D/3D trait analysis and AI predictive modelling.
You shall be enthusiastic about bridging the gap between research outcomes and practical applications in crop breeding and growing/farming sectors. Your communication skills will be employed in promoting research work through scientific presentations and high-impact publications, and helping develop cross-country collaborations with our African partners. This role will be reviewed and the contract may be extended, depending on future funding.
The role is based at NIAB Headquarters, Cambridge CB3 0LE with occasional travel to Kent and possibly to 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 Professor Ji Zhou, Head of Data Sciences, at NIAB on [email protected].
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
Ideally you have:
- BSc or MSc in computational biology, computing sciences or equivalent
- Good understanding of automated image analysis
- Experience in vision-based phenotypic analysis
- Software development skills
- Python programming, deep learning and image analysis knowledge
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong organisational skills
Desirable Requirements
Ideally you also have:
- PhD in computer vision, machine learning or computing sciences
- Experience in computer vision and phenotypic analysis
- Algorithmic design in deep learning and software implementation experience
- Database development, GUI- and cloud-based computing knowledge
- Skills in C/C++, Java programming, plant and crop phenotyping
Training will be provided. No relocation expenses payable.
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 plant phenotyping and AI-powered trait analysis capabilities, as well as a UK-leading high-performance computing (HPC) and GPU clusters infrastructure, jointly established with James Hutton Institute and other partner institutes.
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 resources through research services and training. NIAB’s position at the interface of academic research and commercial breeding offers opportunities for strong collaborations across the plant sciences sector.
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.
TO APPLY
Click the ‘Apply’ button to apply directly. Any questions? Email [email protected] or call Human Resources on 01223 342282.