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New York, New York
Posted: 08-May-25
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Categories:
Internal Number: 368184
The Moeller Lab at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is looking for a research assistant for summer 2025 to help with data collected in a large remote-sensing study on terrestrial invasive plants in the Upper Midwest.
The invasive species research group in the Moeller Lab studies the biogeography, ecology, and evolution of invasive plants in the Upper Midwest to try and better predict invasion risk, especially in the face of global climate change. We are currently working on a project on environmental factors that influence the population growth and range expansion of the invasive species leafy spurge. In the project, we use deep learning models to detect populations from satellite imagery and further modeling to determine what environmental factors influence its relative success. In this project, the assistant will help us lead the collection of additional data on population occurrences to help validate deep learning detection models.
Major Responsibilities:
Collecting ground-truthing records: identifying invasive species population in the field and high resolution satellite imagery - 50%
Record-keeping and preliminary analysis - 30%
Other minor duties - 20%
Minimum qualifications:
Interest in plant ecology or evolution;
Valid driver's license and willingness to drive long distances in rural areas for 3-4 day trips;
Additional desired qualifications:
Familiarity with invasive species field work
Familiarity with biogeography principles and spatial analyses
Familiarity with AI/machine learning/deep learning frameworks
Familiarity with Microsoft Office Software such as Word and Excel;
Coding experience in R.
Work with plant materials in dusty/dirty conditions;
Excellent organizational skills;
Willing and able to lift and carry at least 25 lbs.
