Postdoctoral Research Associate: GeoAI and Remote Sensing for Invasive Species Ecology

The Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) Lab at the University of Florida, led by Dr. Di Yang, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a new, multi-institutional research project focused on the invasive grass Ventenata dubia (VEDU). This project is a collaboration with experts at the University of Montana (Spatial Analysis Lab) and Boise State University. The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of cutting-edge remote sensing and machine learning techniques to address critical questions about invasive species surveillance and invasion dynamics. Key research themes include: 1) characterizing invasion resistance, 2) assessing the role of phenotypic plasticity in its competitive success, and 3) developing robust methods for spectral phenotyping using ground, drone, and satellite-based sensors. Core responsibilities include designing data acquisition campaigns across multiple platforms (ground, drone, satellite), developing machine learning models for multi-sensor data analysis, creating analytical workflows for species discrimination, integrating remote sensing data with ecological field data, collaborating with partner institutions, publishing research, and mentoring students within the GeoAI Lab. Required qualifications include a Ph.D. (by start date) in Remote Sensing, Geography, Biology, Geospatial Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, or a closely related field, and strong proficiency in programming, particularly Python and Google Earth Engine (GEE) for geospatial analysis and data science. The intended start date is flexible, ideally for the Spring 2026 semester, with a full-time, 12-month appointment. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and continue until the position is filled.