Machine Learning Engineer - Crop Computer Vision

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

 

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

 

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

 

City: Saskatoon 

Organizational Unit: Aquatic and Crop Resource Development 

Classification: CS-3 

Tenure: Continuing 

Language Requirements: English

 

Work Arrangements: 

• Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework). Employees in this position who telework will be required to travel to the identified work site at least three times per week at their own expense.

 

We recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities. If you are an Indigenous candidate, you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. To learn more, please contact the hiring team, using the contact information below.

 

• While the official location of work for this position will be an NRC facility within Canada, the option of an offsite or a hybrid work arrangement (a combination of working onsite and offsite) may be possible.

 

 

 

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the National Research Council (NRC). As Canada’s leading research and technology organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

 

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The Role

Canada’s crop production is being increasingly challenged by climate change, more prevalent weather extremes, and emerging disease threats. Designing transformative computer vision and machine learning systems to boost efficiencies and design resilient crops is critical to our agriculture industry. Automated vision analysis of crop roots and the rhizosphere presents a unique opportunity to increase the genetic gains and adaptability of Canada’s field crops. At the NRC’s Aquatic and Crop Resource Development (ACRD) research centre, we are investing in technologies to image and analyze crop root and shoot systems, increasing the use of machine learning and generative AI solutions, and expanding our digital capabilities to develop innovative tools for crop improvement and agricultural productivity. We invite you to join our team to take root phenomics R&D to the next level and be an integral member contributing to making Canada’s crops more resilient. Interacting with colleagues across ACRD and collaborating nationally and internationally, the successful candidate would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

 

As a Computer Vision specialist on the Integrated Omics and Climate Resilience Team at ACRD, you will play a key role in helping position the NRC as leaders in digital research for Canada. Your responsibilities include the delivery of software support for the design, development, and implementation of computer code which enables automated analyses of crop images. Moving from crop phenotype, additional upcoming efforts include contributing to implementing large language models for genomic analyses to elevate gene and allele discovery. The successful candidate will also support data democracy principles at ACRD including important contributions to data management, data platforms, and data science.

Screening Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

Masters Science in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

 

A Bachelor of Science with 2+ years of experience in the development of computer vision and machine learning algorithms may be considered as an equivalent.

 

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

1. Significant experience in computer vision approaches with proven track-record of algorithm and code development for image analysis. 
2. Significant experience and proficiency in programming languages such as Python and C++. 
3. Experience in computational geometry, 3D representations and data structures.
4. Experience in applying neural networks (CNNs, RNNs, VAEs and/or GANs) for computer vision and utilizing deep learning libraries such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
5. Experience in parallel processing (e.g., across GPUs) and multi-threaded application design.
6. Experience working with and analyzing biological images would be considered an asset.
7. Experience with transfer learning techniques to leverage pre-trained models, including large foundation models, will be considered an asset.
8. Experience with federated learning approaches will be considered an asset.
    

Condition of Employment

Reliability Status

Language Requirements

English 

 

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Technical Competencies

1. Knowledge of traditional computer-vision-related tasks including pre-processing, segmentation, object detection and classification including foundational theory and familiarity with OpenCV and/or other libraries.
2. Knowledge of 3D reconstruction techniques and generation of point clouds and other 3D representations.
3. Strong knowledge of deep learning algorithms and their applications in computer vision.
4. Strong ability in training set generation and data preprocessing, augmentation, and annotation techniques.
5. Ability to use version control systems (e.g., Git) and/or workflow management tools (e.g., Snakemake).
6. Knowledge of and interest in large language models (e.g., DNA language models) would be considered an asset.
7. Practical knowledge of open-source frameworks for federated learning will be considered an asset.

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Technology Support

 

View all competency profiles

Behavioural Competencies

• Technology support - Communication (Level 2)
• Technology support - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 3)
• Technology support - Initiative (Level 2)
• Technology support - Self-knowing and self-development (Level 3)
• Technology support - Teamwork (Level 2)

Compensation

Salary under review

 

From $89,548 to $112,660 per annum. 

 

An incumbent occupying a position within the CS Group is currently entitled to receive a terminable allowance of $212 per month.

 

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

About ACRD

We perform advanced scientific research and provide research services and technology development for the sustainable transformation of Canadian bio-based resources into higher-value products.

 

Plus...

Why Work With Us

We collaborate with industry, academia and government partners to develop and transform agricultural and marine bioresources into food, feed and ingredients, and other high value bioproducts.
 

The services we offer include:

• Collaborative research opportunities
• Access to expert researchers and technicians
• Scientific advice and technical services
• Projects tailored to client needs using our specialized facilities
• Research and development support

 

Our goal is to help strengthen the economy by growing global markets for Canadian industry. 

About Saskatoon

Saskatoon is the perfect city for people who enjoy the natural world, a diverse cultural environment and want to find a place they can call home. A wonderful place to raise a family, Saskatoon enjoys one of the lowest costs of living among major cities in Canada.

Located in the heart of the prairies, the city is home to about 300,000 people, has one of the most diversified economies in the country, producing products and services that are in demand throughout the world. With a solid infrastructure, natural resources, research and development facilities, and a well-educated workforce, the Saskatoon region is continually creating new opportunities for business and individuals.

There are six dominant industries within the region, including mining/energy, manufacturing, transportation, life sciences, construction and agriculture. Wages in the Saskatoon region are competitive when compared with the rest of the province and country. In large part due to low housing costs and good wages, people in Saskatoon have a good standard of living compared to more expensive cities.

 

For more information on living in Saskatoon: Life in Saskatoon | Saskatoon.ca

Notes

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

 

 

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (22855) to:

E-mail: NRC.NRCHiring-EmbaucheCNRC.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Telephone: 343-990-7339 

Closing Date: 27 November 2024 - 23:59 Eastern Time

 

 

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

 

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.