We're hiring for graduate student and postdoc positions!
NSF-funded Postdoc & Graduate Student Positions in AI and Biodiversity Change
Applications are invited for one (1) graduate student position and one (1) postdoctoral researcher position in the Jarzyna lab in the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology at The Ohio State University. The successful candidates will work on an NSF-funded project and conduct research in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biodiversity Change. The project is part of a larger collaboration—The AI and Biodiversity Change (ABC) Global Climate Center—which brings together ecologists and computer scientists from six universities in the United States and Canada, with partners in UK, Europe, and Australia, to develop new AI-enabled, data-supported approaches to study how changes in climate are impacting life on Earth. As such, the successful candidates will work closely with collaborators across institutions (OSU, University of Pittsburg, MIT, McGill University, University of Guelph, and University of British Columbia) but will be physically based full time at the Jarzyna lab.
The successful candidates will conduct research in the broad and exciting area of AI and biodiversity science. Both positions offer thematic flexibility and in their application letter candidates should briefly describe their preferred area of activity. Potential areas of interest span various applications and include, but are not limited to, leveraging machine and deep learning for monitoring species distributions, using machine and deep learning to integrate biodiversity records from multimodal data sources to understand spatiotemporal dynamics of biodiversity, or using AI methodology to harvest trait information from images. While these areas are highlighted, they are not exhaustive, and creative proposals aligning with the overarching theme (AI and biodiversity science) are encouraged. Question-driven research and creative ideas are valued.
Review of applicants will begin on January 5, 2024, but positions will remain open until suitable candidates are found.
required Qualifications
For a Graduate Student position, required qualifications are a B.S. (M.S. preferred) in ecology, evolutionary biology, computer science, statistics, mathematics, or closely related fields. A solid working knowledge of biodiversity science, computational ecology, and statistics are required. Candidates with working experience of machine and deep learning methods are particularly encouraged to apply. Candidates must have excellent English writing and verbal communication skills. Prior publication experience is preferred. The position is available starting on August 15, 2024. The position is fully funded through a GRA for 5 years.
For a Postdoc position, required qualifications are a Ph.D. in ecology, evolutionary biology, computer science, remote sensing, statistics, mathematics, or closely related fields. A solid working knowledge of machine and deep learning approaches, biodiversity science, and statistics (including hierarchical modeling) are required for this position. Candidates with working experience of big biodiversity databases (eBird, Breeding Bird Survey, iNaturalist, etc.) and varied biodiversity types (in-situ surveys, acoustic sensors, images) are particularly encouraged to apply. Candidates must have excellent English writing and verbal communication skills, as well as an established record of high productivity. The position is available starting on April 1, 2024 but the start date is negotiable. The position is available for two years.
how to apply
To apply please send, in one pdf, a cover letter addressing how the candidate’s expertise meets the position requirements listed above and describing the preferred area of research, CV, and contact info (phone and email) for three referees to jarzyna.1@osu.edu. In your cover letter, please state explicitly whether you are applying for a Graduate Student or a Postdoc position. Please place “Application for ABC Position: LASTNAME” in the subject of the email. All inquiries should be sent to Dr. Jarzyna at jarzyna.1@osu.edu.
Dr. Jarzyna believes that a diverse team will enable a broader perspective and enhance creativity, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, and otherwise underrepresented candidates. The Ohio State University is committed to establishing a culturally and intellectually diverse environment. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.