Postdoctoral Research Associate: GeoAI and Remote Sensing for Invasive Species Ecology

Join the Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) Lab at the University of Florida, led by Dr. Di Yang, as a Postdoctoral Research Associate on a new, multi-institutional project focused on the invasive grass Ventenata dubia (VEDU). This collaborative effort includes leading experts at the University of Montana (Spatial Analysis Lab) and Boise State University. The role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of remote sensing, spectranomics, genetic analysis, GeoAI, and invasion ecology within a dynamic, collaborative team.

About the role

This position involves leading the development and implementation of cutting-edge remote sensing and machine learning techniques to address critical questions about invasive species surveillance and invasion dynamics. Key research themes include:

• Characterizing invasion resistance
• Assessing the role of phenotypic plasticity in competitive success
• Developing robust methods for spectral phenotyping using ground, drone, and satellite-based sensors

Responsibilities

• Design and lead remote sensing data acquisition campaigns using multi-scale platforms, including ground-based spectrometers, UAVs (optical, Lidar), and satellite imagery (e.g., Planet, Sentinel, Landsat).
• Develop and apply advanced machine learning and deep learning models (GeoAI) for fusing, analyzing, and interpreting multi-sensor data to track invasive species patterns.
• Create novel analytical workflows to build calibration equations for discriminating VEDU from other co-occurring grass species.
• Integrate remote sensing-derived products with in-situ ecological data (e.g., canopy cover, height, alpha diversity, chemistry, soil texture, disturbance intensity) to model invasion dynamics and resilience across landscapes.
• Collaborate closely with project partners to synthesize findings and build follow-on funding opportunities.
• Lead the preparation of high-impact, peer-reviewed publications.
• Present research findings at national and international scientific conferences.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the GeoDI (Geospatial Digital Informatics) Lab.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. (by the start date) in Remote Sensing, Geography, Biology, Geospatial Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in processing and analyzing remote sensing data (hyperspectral and/or Lidar is a strong plus).
• Strong proficiency in programming, particularly in Python and Google Earth Engine (GEE) for geospatial analysis and data science.
• Experience with machine learning/deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) applied to image or geospatial data.
• A track record of first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in plant ecology, invasion science, or agronomy.
• Specific expertise in reflectance spectroscopy and chemometrics for vegetation analysis or high-throughput phenotyping.
• A strong background in GeoAI, computer vision, and data fusion techniques.
• Experience designing UAV-based remote sensing campaigns.
• Experience leading ground-based vegetation surveys.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team.

About the University of Florida

UF is the state’s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive land-grant university, with an enrollment of over 50,000 students. It was ranked 7th among public universities by U.S. News and World Report (2025) and 1st among public institutions in the Wall Street Journal 2023 survey. The university is located in Gainesville, a city of approximately 150,000 residents in North-Central Florida, offering a mild climate and proximity to parks, recreational areas, and major metropolitan regions (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville). Gainesville provides a vibrant cultural scene, highly rated schools, and abundant outdoor activities.

Pay

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, including a full benefits package. For details, visit benefits.hr.ufl.edu.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 12-month appointment with the potential for extension based on performance and funding availability. The intended start date is flexible, ideally for the Spring 2026 semester.