Senior Machine Learning Scientist

Competition No: 772
Position Type: Full Time - Trust Funded
Salary Range: $78,694.13 to $110,457.10 per year
Grade: 12
Hours: 40

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has a term length of 1 year plus a day and offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed on our Benefits Overview page .

Location  - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person at our North Campus Edmonton. 

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute 

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) detects large changes in biodiversity in Alberta with the annually updated Biodiversity Intactness Index and Human Footprint Inventory. This research provides ongoing, relevant, scientifically credible information on Alberta's living resources to meet the information needs of government planners, industrial developers and local communities.

Position

The Senior Machine Learning Scientist is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and management of AI workflows and data-driven analyses that support the ABMI's goal of enhancing environmental monitoring and promoting natural resource stewardship. This includes developing and applying machine learning and big data exploration techniques to support geospatial needs related to scientific analysis of ABMI’s lidar, aerial imagery, habitat, and human footprint data products for applications such as land cover, vegetation regeneration, groundwater dependent ecosystem and wetland mapping. The Senior Machine Learning Scientist will lead a team of developers and technicians to develop end-to-end data engineering workflows and processes related to big data management.

Duties  Project Oversight and Innovation (50%):

• Spearhead ABMI's machine learning and AI-driven geospatial initiatives, applying your expertise to solve critical environmental science challenges.
• Collaborate closely with a diverse team of professionals and end-users to develop tailored machine learning solutions, focusing on vital areas such as human footprint monitoring and vegetation regeneration.
• Lead the design, testing, and implementation of machine learning experiments, driving advancements in environmental monitoring through innovative applications of big data and cloud computing technologies.
• Ensure the continual improvement of machine learning models and systems, overseeing data pipeline optimization and applying best practices in data processing, visualization and documentation.

Team Leadership and Operations (30%):

• Guide and manage a dynamic team of GIS developers, data analysts, and researchers, fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and resilience.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and performance management of team members, ensuring they are equipped to contribute effectively to ABMI's machine learning initiatives.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive work-plans, procedures, and metadata, ensuring the seamless integration of machine learning workflows into ABMI's operations.
• Create a safe, inclusive, and collaborative work environment, adhering to all health and safety standards.

Technical and Strategic Advice (20%)

• Provide strategic insights and technical advice to ABMI's senior leadership, identifying opportunities for and developing new geospatial machine learning projects.
• Explore and integrate emerging machine learning technologies and approaches, advancing ABMI's capabilities in landscape and biodiversity monitoring.
• Lead quality assurance efforts and coordinate audits, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in machine learning outputs.
• Communicate technical results and project outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelors degree in data science, computer science, software engineering, mathematics, geography, remote sensing, biology, environmental science or a related field, or equivalent technical diploma combined with relevant experience.

Experience

• Greater than seven (7) years of relevant work experience in the machine learning and/or data science fields.
• Strong working knowledge of machine learning algorithms such as Boosted Regression Trees, and RandomForest.
• Experience in software engineering.
• Strong understanding of mathematics and demonstrates experience in statistical data analyses.
• Ability to use, understand, and develop AI and machine learning applications to answer environmental monitoring problems.
• Proficient and thorough understanding of geospatial science, remote sensing, and spatial analysis theory, principles and applications.
• Familiar with a variety of technologies capable of processing of large spatial data (i.e., Google Earth Engine) with training and skills that include but are not limited to a variety of technologies capable of storing spatial data (i.e., ArcSDE, SQL Server, etc.).
• Superior written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
• A proactive approach to managing staff and technical problems.
• Team oriented with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, and adapt to rapidly shifting priorities and manage projects from start to completion.
• A valid driver's license.

Education and experience equivalencies may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters or PhD considered an asset.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

Note:  This opportunity will be available until midnight May 1, 2024, Edmonton, Alberta local time.