AI for Natural History and Biological Diversity

Company: University of Florida
Location: Gainesville
Posted on: June 19, 2022

Job Description:

Classification Title:

Assistant/Associate Curator

We seek to strengthen FLMNH's global leadership in biodiversity informatics by hiring a creative, interdisciplinary scholar with research and teaching foci on machine learning (ML) and computer vision applied to natural history data sources, including born-digital data sources. We invite candidates who ask and answer questions about changes in biological diversity through space and time, and whose interests include working with burgeoning media and information generated from natural history datasets, community science, and in-situ and remote sensors. Possible data sources include, but are not limited to, 2D and 3D images, audio and video, and genetic data.

Preferred candidates will have a strong foundation in statistical machine learning, deep learning, and working in scalable computing environments. We especially encourage applicants who are highly collaborative, contribute and demonstrate commitment to the diversity, inclusivity, and excellence of the academic community and the FLMNH, and have experience working with underserved and/or underrepresented populations. FLMNH has made strategic investments in biodiversity informatics and is a national and international leader in this area. Its leadership position is further enhanced by iDigBio, the national hub for digitization of natural history specimens, and multiple funded infrastructure projects in imaging and media creation. The successful candidate will join current FLMNH faculty using AI approaches. This is a tenure-track faculty position.

About the Florida Museum and the University of Florida

The FLMNH, a college-level unit within UF, is a vibrant community of about 300 employees, including 32 full-time faculty, UF undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and museum collections, education, and administrative support staff. As the official state museum of Florida, our core mission includes stewardship of 40 million specimens and artifacts, award-winning exhibitions, diverse public programs, and emerging virtual and digital engagement. The FLMNH Department of Natural History's research and collections programs are world class and attract about $10 million annually in government and philanthropic support.

The FLMNH enjoys cross-campus collaborations with many of the 16 UF colleges, including those of potential relevance to this new faculty position: Agricultural and Life Sciences (Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences), Education, Engineering, Journalism and Communications, Libraries, and Liberal Arts and Sciences. This position requires a strong commitment to university education, museum-based research, and outreach. Interactions with allied academic departments include affiliate professorship status with responsibility for supervision of graduate students and teaching at least one formal course per year. Interdisciplinary UF institutes, such as the Informatics Institute, Biodiversity Institute, Genetics Institute, and the Thompson Earth Systems Institute offer additional opportunities for collaboration.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At FLMNH, we strive to create a more diverse and inclusive student, faculty, and staff experience at the University of Florida.As a university-based museum, we believe it is essential that we, as educators, develop pathways for learners of all ages and wide-ranging audiences toward increased diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in STEM and Humanities disciplines and workforces. We are committed to the ongoing self-reflection and work needed to serve students from historically underrepresented groups within the greater University of Florida community, especially through student mentorship, teaching, and experiential learning opportunities. Candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the UF community are encouraged to apply.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University of Florida invites all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under the Florida Sunshine and Public Records laws.

The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Expected Salary:

Starting salary range for this position is $90,000 to $125,000, and negotiable commensurate with experience.

Minimum Requirements: Successful candidates should have a Ph.D., or equivalent, in the natural sciences, engineering, computer science or other relevant disciplines, and evidence of excellence in research, teaching, and service. Preferred Qualifications: N/A Special Instructions to Applicants:

Interested applicants must apply online. Applicants must submit (1) cover letter; (2) full CV, including list of peer-reviewed publications and grants received; (3) research statement; (4) education, mentorship and outreach statement; (5) statement describing the applicant's contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching, research, or service; and (6) names and email addresses of a minimum of 3 professional references (do not send letters).

For inquiries concerning this position, contact Dr. Rob Guralnick, Search Chair, rguralnick (at) flmnh.ufl.edu.

Final candidate will be required to provide official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered "official" if a designation of "Issued to Student" is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.

The University of Florida is An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Review of applications will begin on March 15, 2022, and will continue until the position is filled.

AI@UF

Health Assessment Required: No

Keywords: University of Florida, Gainesville , AI for Natural History and Biological Diversity, Other , Gainesville, Florida