Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow in Machine Learning for Marine Research

• 2 positions available, Full time, 1.5 years fixed term position with the possibility of extension

• Be part of the development of novel machine learning tools for the management
  of extensive online image archives

• Base Salary $105,314 - $132,043 + 17% superannuation 

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR) is one of Australia’s leading robotics research groups and undertakes fundamental and applied research in the area of field robotics. Our marine systems group is focused on the development of autonomous marine vehicle systems for marine survey.  We also explore tools for the visualisation, clustering and classification of extensive marine-based image archives, characterisation of change in multi-year surveys and adaptive mission planning for multi-vehicle systems. We undertake marine surveys using robotic systems at sites around Australia and overseas in collaboration with a range of partners.
 

In partnership with Greybits Engineering and Fathom Pacific, we have funding available to support 2 x Postdoctoral Research Associates/Fellows to undertake fundamental and applied research related to the development of machine learning tools to help manage our extensive archives of seafloor imagery available through the Squidle+ online repository of marine imagery. Squidle+ contains a wealth of standardised, georeferenced marine images with associated expert-labelled annotations. It also has an extensive API with software libraries available to facilitate training and deploying machine learning algorithms within the Squidle+ ecosystem.

The project aims to develop and operationalise machine learning tools for bootstrapping scientific analysis and ultimately assist marine scientists in answering real-world science questions. This includes developing and deploying supervised models as well as a self-supervised framework to learn feature representations suitable for large (~10 million), mostly unlabelled, collections of georeferenced seafloor imagery that are coupled to additional survey information, including co-registered remote sensing data such as acoustic bathymetry.  In collaboration with a strong existing scientific userbase, we will validate the developed tools and demonstrate how important scientific insights directly relevant to ecosystem management can be extracted from this data with the aid of automated classification tools. Applications include environmental monitoring and impact assessment, climate change science, marine park management, marine archaeology, deep-sea geology and asset inspection

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow's who has:

• a PhD (or near completion) in a relevant field

• extensive knowledge of machine learning with a focus on image classification tasks

• experience working with marine robotic systems or the data they collect, including optical, sonar and hyperspectral imagery

• field experience deploying underwater or other advanced robotic systems are
  desirable

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. 

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Rebecca Astar or Cherie Goodwin, Recruitment Operations by email to recruitment.sea@sydney.edu.au

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