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The Forest Change Analysis Lab (FOCAL) at UC Davis is seeking a Junior or Assistant Specialist for a position that uniquely combines cutting-edge geospatial forest data science and computer vision research with extensive fieldwork across California's diverse forest landscapes. This role includes coordinating and leading drone- and ground-based field data collection campaigns (3+ months annually) in forests throughout California along with research and development of automated imagery processing workflows for vegetation mapping and analysis. The candidate will work on groundbreaking projects funded by CAL FIRE and the California Air Resources Board, including (1) development of methods for using 360-degree ground-based imagery for automated forest understory mapping and (2) and detecting and mapping post-fire forest regeneration statewide from drone and NAIP imagery using computer vision validated through field surveys. The position involves developing cloud-native data processing workflows on platforms like Jetstream2, creating user-friendly software tools for the research community, and coordinating with federal and state agencies. Ideal candidates will thrive in a role that alternates between working with field crews during 4- to 8-day remote deployments and conducting advanced geospatial data science back in the lab. The candidate will support innovative conservation research; contribute as a co-author on publications, software releases, and/or data releases; and help build open-source tools that will shape the future of forest monitoring in California and beyond. A greater level of responsibility is expected for the Assistant Specialist position when completing job duties.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (85% EFFORT)
A. Collaborate with other research and extension personnel affiliated with research activities involving forest remote sensing, drone-based vegetation mapping, computer vision, machine learning, and spatial data science. This includes but is not limited to:
1) Perform extensive field data collection (3+ months per year) including drone flights, ground-based 360-degree imagery collection, and manual ground-based vegetation inventory in sites across California
2) Coordinate and/or work with field crews of 1-3 technicians during field campaigns, developing efficient data collection plans that integrate drone imagery, ground imagery, and/or manual inventory methods
3) Coordinate field logistics and site access by communicating extensively via email and phone with site managers, USFS aviation staff, CAL FIRE aviation staff, and other relevant personnel to define study sites and obtain permissions
4) Develop and refine protocols for field-based vegetation data collection (via imagery and manual inventory) and implement robust data management systems to track large volumes of data and metadata from multiple field sites
5) Perform, coordinate, and mentor others in annotating understory objects (e.g., trees, logs, shrubs) in ground imagery for computer vision model training
6) Contribute to the research and development of software tools and analysis workflows to spatially co-register drone imagery, ground imagery (e.g., 360-degree images or videos), NAIP imagery, and ground inventory data
7) Build 3D understory models from 360-degree ground imagery and assign object classes by employing and potentially extending the Open Forest Observatory tool Geograypher
8) Research, develop, and improve automated workflows for processing drone imagery into vegetation maps, optionally employing deep learning computer vision models and comparing results to geometric (CHM-based) methods
9) Calibrate and validate vegetation mapping methods and workflows by comparing drone-derived vegetation maps to extensive field-based vegetation inventory data
10) Develop methods for manual annotation of regenerating trees in co-registered drone and NAIP imagery for forest regeneration detection projects
11) Train computer vision models to detect forest regeneration, and perform inference on imagery across California, evaluating accuracy against ground validation data
12) Write and run scripts to transform ground-based forest inventory (stem map) data from external contributors into standardized formats for publication via the Open Forest Observatory ground reference data catalog
13) Employ high-performance computing and data storage platforms including Jetstream2 for large-scale analyses and tool deployment
14) Package scripted workflows into user-friendly software libraries for publication
15) Create and expand documentation of OFO tools, including example workflows
16) Analyze and interpret research data and perform quality control
17) Meet periodically with PI and collaborators to discuss results and interpretations of data collected
18) Critically read scientific literature to help define research objectives and protocols and interpret experimental results
19) Contribute to the creation of grant proposals and associated reports, scholarly manuscripts, and extension and outreach material
20) Ensure safety protocols are followed during field operations and laboratory work
21) Assist with lab maintenance, purchasing and inventory of equipment and supplies for research

1. Evaluation of performance in research activities or outreach activities as deemed applicable to the individual project in specialized areas, as documented by any of the following:
2. Publications, including data releases and software/tool releases, that acknowledge the Specialist's significant and meaningful contribution to the work.
3. Publications, including data releases and software/tool releases, on which the Specialist is an author.
4. Other evidence (e.g., letters from collaborators or principal investigators) that work done by the Specialist contributed to publishable research, including data releases and software/tool releases.
5. Active dissemination of information (beyond the boundaries of the campus) through informal instruction, web-based documentation, virtual office hours, presentations, or other means stemming from the Specialist's research accomplishments.
6. Other evidence of recognized expertise may include formal documentation of intellectual effort and participation in publishable research activities, including data releases and software/tool releases, first authorship on publications/patents, presentation of research at regional/national meetings, invitations to review grant proposals and/or journal articles, invitations to participate in research projects, and/or service on advisory panels.

B. Serve as a research coordinator for the FOCAL Lab projects, as resources permit. Responsible for ensuring uninterrupted communication between laboratory personnel, individual laboratories, data management and preparation of reports tailored to meet the needs of the requesting individual(s).

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10% EFFORT)
Demonstration and expansion of professional competence and activity may be achieved through activities such as, but not limited to, the following:
A. Attend, present, and/or help organize meetings or workshops of appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations, such as the American Geophysical Union (AGU), Ecological Society of America (ESA), and/or lab groups at other universities
B. Interface with government agencies in the coordination of mutually beneficial research and dissemination of results
C. Review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise
D. In collaboration with the supervisor, develop funding opportunities (including co-leading or contributing to funding proposals) to further the research goals of the lab
E. Attend training workshops for development of relevant technical skills
F. Mentor junior lab members and external researchers/analysts in relevant data science tasks, field methods, and remote sensing techniques.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
A. May maintain liaison and respond to the needs of various organizations, state and federal agencies (such as CAL FIRE, USFS, CARB), and other external groups on issues related to area of expertise, including providing technical guidance to extramural researchers and land managers
B. Participate in activities of committees within the department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate (lab recruitment, lab meetings on data science topics, field safety committees)

Per UCD-APM 330, it is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Master's or Doctoral degree in the relevant discipline or a baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of experience as a Junior Specialist. Candidates who hold a Masters or Doctoral degree will be disqualified from the Jr. Specialist position. In addition, appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. It is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Doctoral degree in the relevant discipline for the Assistant Specialist position.

The Department will not offer visa sponsorship for this position. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate that they are legally authorized to work in the United States.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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