×
Apply for Jobs Apply for Jobs Post a Job Post a Job Local Jobs Home
Register Here to Apply for Jobs or Post Jobs. X
More jobs:
Data Scientist Data Analyst

Junior​/Assistant Specialist- Young Lab

Job in Davis, Yolo County, California, 95617, USA
Listing for: University of California - Davis
Full Time position
Listed on 2025-12-31
Job specializations:
  • Research/Development
    Data Scientist
  • IT/Tech
    Data Scientist, Data Analyst
Salary/Wage Range or Industry Benchmark: 63500 - 70700 USD Yearly USD 63500.00 70700.00 YEAR
Job Description & How to Apply Below

Position Overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for the Jr. Specialist position is $55,000 at Step 1 or $58,600 at Step 2. The salary range for an Assistant Specialist position is $63,500-$70,700. "Off‑scale salaries", i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system‑wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.

Application Window
  • Open date: December 2, 2025
  • Next review date: Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
  • Final date: Wednesday, Dec 2, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Position Description

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) 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)

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Perform, coordinate, and mentor others in annotating understory objects (e.g., trees, logs, shrubs) in ground imagery for computer vision model training.
  • 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.
  • Build 3‑D understory models from 360‑degree ground imagery and assign object classes by employing and potentially extending the Open Forest Observatory tool Geograypher.
  • 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.
  • Calibrate and validate vegetation mapping methods and workflows by comparing drone‑derived vegetation maps to extensive field‑based vegetation…
    • To View & Apply for jobs on this site that accept applications from your location or country, tap the button below to make a Search.
    (If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).
     
     
     
    Search for further Jobs Here:
    (Try combinations for better Results! Or enter less keywords for broader Results)
    Location
    Increase/decrease your Search Radius (miles)

    Job Posting Language
    Employment Category
    Education (minimum level)
    Filters
    Education Level
    Experience Level (years)
    Posted in last:
    Salary
    Advanced Search