Postdoc position: “Advancing Marine Biodiversity Monitoring in the Wadden Sea and North Sea using Artificial Intelligence”

5 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Research Field

Environmental science » Ecology
Computer science » Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

15 Feb 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The department of Coastal Systems (COS) at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is looking for a highly motivated Postdoc. We offer a postdoctoral position of 3 years on applying image analysis and deep learning to advance biodiversity monitoring of regional marine biodiversity. The position is in the group of Prof. Myron Peck and is part of a larger, multi-national Biodiversa+ project.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of COS integrates state-of-the art laboratory, field and numerical modelling studies in frontier explorations of the drivers of the dynamics of marine habitats and food webs. COS examines how physical, chemical and biological processes interact to determine the distribution, composition and productivity of marine species - from primary producers to top predators - and marine habitats - from the coast to inter/sub-tidal and pelagic environments. Research is applied at both the regional and global scales.

THE PROJECT

The post-doc will be a member of the Biodiversa+ project BioBoost+ (Boosting the Frequency and Scale of Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Using Digital Imagery and Artificial Intelligence). BioBoost+ is designed to improve non-invasive, cost-effective, and high-frequency sampling and identification of marine plants and animals by applying state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with digital imagery including real-time monitoring via camera networks and involvement of citizen science groups. These methods are applied to a wide range of taxa, from habitat-forming species (seagrass meadows, shellfish beds, and macroalgal canopies), indicator species of ecological and economic importance (e.g., coastal fish, lobsters, shorebirds), invasive species, and understudied groups (from microscopic, free-floating animals to rare fish). BioBoost+ enhances biodiversity monitoring within European regional seas from the Mediterranean, North and Norwegian Seas to support ongoing conservation interventions such as active habitat restoration projects and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

The project’s main objective(s) are to:

1. Harness biodiversity imaging to enable end-to-end data streams and analysis, from image acquisition using camera networks to desktop deployment and automated update of biodiversity metrics.

2. Scale-up digital data acquisition through engagement with citizen science programs and other stakeholders (industry, scientists, policymakers).

3. Automate analyses of seabed habitat data (e.g., seagrasses, shellfish beds, macroalgal forests) and foster the use of drone and satellite images to map human pressures and assess the success of habitat restoration and MPAs.

4. Use high-frequency time series and systematic analysis of habitat data to produce improved measures of biodiversity under present-day and future climate change scenarios.

This post-doctoral position is based at NIOZ where research can be applied to different plants, animals and habitats important to the good ecological status of the coastal Wadden Sea and areas of the North Sea. Emphasis will be placed on plankton (phytoplankton and zooplankton), inter- and sub-tidal macrozoobenthos, as well as habitat-forming species such as eelgrass and shellfish beds. The work will be based on the long-term ecological time series currently supported by NIOZ at the Department of Coastal Systems (e.g. Plankton , Macrozoobenthos , Fish , Shorebirds ) and ongoing developments in monitoring zooplankton in the group of Dr. Dick van Oevelen at the NIOZ Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems. There are also possibilities to gather new data (based on the interest / expertise of the applicant).

THE CANDIDATE

Applicants must have a PhD degree. Preferred candidates:

• Will have strong statistical, analytical, and computational skills;
• Will be able to demonstrate experience in automated image analysis and/or deep / machine learning techniques (e.g. convolutional neural networks or segmented classification). For example, you have previous experience with automated species identification and quantification using state-of-the-art data processing algorithms and artificial intelligence;
• Have a strong background in and passion for marine ecology and/or marine system dynamics;
• Are ready to conduct independent research and are comfortable collaborating with a broad variety of researchers at NIOZ (e.g. stewards of long-term ecological time series) and with project partners in Italy, France, Norway, Spain and elsewhere in Europe;
• Are expected to publish and present at a high international level with excellent written and oral skills in English;
• Enjoy contributing to a professional environment that embraces diversity and inclusion.

We want to be a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people from diverse backgrounds and gender bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.

CONDITIONS

• Employment of this full-time position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I
• Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI   (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10 or 11 depending on relevant experience. 
• The freedom to fulfill your role and space and opportunities for your personal (talent) development with the help of the NIOZ Academy.
• 338 annualized holiday hours for a full-time 40-hour work week.
• Pension scheme via ABP, 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.33%. 
• Telephone allowance of €15 per month, prorated for your employment.
• 2nd class public transportation travel is reimbursed 100%.
• Employment benefits plan to exchange a portion of your salary for days off or vice versa, or can be used to purchase a bicycle with tax benefits.
• We offer relocation expenses for employees coming from abroad and support with finding accommodation. 

For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Myron Peck For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to [email protected]  

Closing date for this vacancy is 15 February. Please note that we aim to invite suitable candidates for an interview in the 3rd week of February (19th
to 23rd ) to allow a start date of mid-March or (latest) 1st  April 2024.

Requirements

Research Field

Environmental science

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Research Field

Computer science

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Country

Netherlands

City

Den Helder

Postal Code

1797 SZ

Street

Landsdiep 4

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/nioz-royal-netherlands-institute-for-sea-resea…

Contact

City

Den Helder

Website

https://workingat.nioz.nl/

Postal Code

1797 SZ

STATUS: EXPIRED