Research Assistant in Data Processing for AI-Enabled Tree Species Mapping

We are inviting applications for a Research Assistant to support the following project Next-Generation Forest Inventory (NextGen-FI): Open-Set Recognition for Monitoring Illegal Logging (NextGen-Fi). The post will contribute to the development and validation of unique Unpiloted Airborne Vehicle [UAV] datasets. The work will focus on UAV data management, orthophoto optimisation and generation, and output coding. Datasets will be shared with the project team.

The successful candidate will work with academic and stakeholder partners to generate model-ready UAV datasets and develop evidence to support the evaluation of AI and machine learning models. This may include investigating data-centric AI strategies, such as data quality assessment, annotation refinement, dataset curation, and augmentation, alongside conventional model evaluation. The role will also involve documenting methods and results for project deliverables, reports, and publications.

The post is suited to candidates with either a good MSc or a with a PhD awarded or close to completion (or equivalent experience) in UAV data processing, GIS or related disciplines, and who is motivated to develop deployable and repeatable UAV data generation protocols and outputs.

The post is for the duration of 12 months and for a maximum of 20 hours per week.

The School of Geography and Planning is a world-leading centre for research and education in geographical science and geospatial analysis. It seeks to further the study of geography and geoscience disciplines through high quality research and impact. As part of this post you will also work closely with the world class School of Computer Science at Sheffield.

You will join an interdisciplinary team bridging AI, Machine Learning and Forest Conservation to develop next-generation forest inventory tools based on Open Set Recognition.