Two-year Postdoc (extendable) in AI and Remote Sensing to Monitor Earthworms in the Field

Two-year postdoc in AI and remote sensing to monitor earthworms in the field, at Aarhus University. The successful candidate will integrate our team of computational entomologists to develop and deploy innovative methods based on cameras, microphones and microcomputers to automatically monitor earthworms in field settings. These novel methods have the potential to uncover new exciting properties in these cryptic, but pivotal organisms.

Start date and duration of employment 

The position is for two years starting 1 January 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The position is extendable for another two years, depending on motivation and performance.

Short project description

Soil health is the foundation of our food systems, yet we are losing topsoil at an alarming rate due to land use. To combat this, we must shift from extractive to restorative, circular agriculture. This transition requires extensive research on decomposers, particularly earthworms, which are essential for soil health. Although their subterranean lifestyle poses observational challenges, recent advances in remote sensing and deep learning offer a unique opportunity to finally track these elusive organisms, which could have a profound impact on ecology and agriculture.

To increase our monitoring efforts and coverage, the successful candidate will adapt and create novel technologies (using vision, acoustics, capacitance, etc.) to monitor earthworms non-invasively and at high temporal resolution, in the field. Using a combination of these new tools, together with modern analysis approaches (e.g., deep learning), the candidate will be able to quantify and qualify “earthworm activity” at a given time and location and eventually address unanswered questions on earthworm behaviour and demography.

This method-driven project involves a very high degree of collaboration and creativity. We expect the candidate to network within and outside the group and use their experience to propose appropriate solutions to this problem. Accordingly, we value candidates who propose “out-of-the-box” alternatives to the solutions we originally envisaged.

Qualification requirements

• A PhD in engineering, physics, quantitative or computation biology, or a related topic.
• Working knowledge of object-oriented programming (Python, Java, C++, etc.)
• Experience in building custom hardware (CAD, electronics, 3d printing) – ideally, applied to signal acquisition
• Practice in adapting, training and validating state-of-the-art deeplearning models – in particular for digital signal processing
• Knowledge and practical experience in field ecology would be highly valued
• Strong skills in oral and written communication in English
• Ability and willingness to occasionally travel within Europe to deploy and maintain devices.

 

Who we are

Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) QGG is a major centre for research and education in quantitative genetics, genomics and phenomics, at Aarhus University. Within QGG, the Digital Approaches for Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture (DARSA) group, which leads this project, specialises in the development and application of remote-sensing tools and open-source AI methods for agroecological sustainability. QGG is an international research Center with about 70 employees and visiting researchers from over 15 nations. QGG works in teams and strives for an excellent working environment. We therefore value self-leadership, open communication, respect for diversity and success in mentoring, supervision and teaching. This project is also carried in close collaboration with other researchers at Aarhus University, in particular, in the Departments of Agroecology (field trials), Ecoscience (expertise in earthworm ecology and taxonomy) and ECE (infrastructure to develop and test hardware).

What we offer

• An in-house prototyping workshop (electronics, 3d printing, etc.)
• Access to a High-Power Computing facility (hosted by QGG), equipped with dedicated GPUs
• A well-connected international network of computational entomologists (working on similar technology to monitor insects)
• A vibrant local multidisciplinary community of ecologists, entomologists and computer scientists (with members from QGG, Ecoscience, ECE, and Agroecology)
• An outstanding work-life balance as well as an inclusive and supportive work culture

Place of Work

The place of work is C. F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000, Aarhus C, in the centre of the Aarhus University main campus, and neighbouring highly related departments.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Quentin Geissmann, email: qgeissmann@qgg.au.dk. 

Deadline

All applications must be received no later than 15 August 2024. 

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.