Research Associate

Posting Start Date: 2025-05-09

Posting End Date: 2025-06-07

Department of Plant Science

Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

University of Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Research Associate

Position #: 36485

The Department of Plant Science offers educational and research programming across areas such as sustainable cropping systems, agronomy, plant physiology, breeding and genetics. Since 1937, we have been internationally recognized for plant science research and are proud to be the home of the first canola variety ever developed.

The Research Associate will conduct independent research under the purview of Drs. Dilshan Benaragama and Rob Gulden ‘s research program.

Drs. Benaragama and Gulden are working on multiple projects on developing remote sense tools for agronomy and weed science disciplines. Research activities include gathering drone-based optical and non-optical remote sensing (RGB, Multispectral, and LiDAR) data that will be used to model crop and weed growth over the growing season under diverse crop and weed management practices, developing data processing pipelines for remote sense data and developing machine learning solutions for predicting crop and weed growth.

**Responsibilities**:

- Work in a collaborative team environment, under the general direction of Drs. Dilshan Benaragama and Rob Gulden, to achieve the goals of associated research grant funding requirements
- Conduct academic literature reviews and associated writing tasks
- Analyze and pre-process remote sensing drone and satellite data, as well as RGB, multispectral, and LiDAR data for use in machine learning models
- Conduct statistical data analysis
- Draft technical reports
- Assist in graduate student projects
- Contribute to academic and popular publications related to project research; and Other duties as assigned.

**Requirements**:

- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage time effectively and efficiently to meet deadlines; and
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work as part of a team.

Desired Qualifications:

- Formal training in GIS and remote sensing techniques in plant and or soil related disciplines
- Experience working with digital images and remote sensing data
- Experience working with geospatial datasets
- Knowledge and experience with Python and or R languages
- Knowledge and experience with geospatial software like ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine etc.

Opportunities for Trainees:

- Joining a multidisciplinary team and working with experts in agriculture, plant science, soil science, and computer science
- Gaining broad knowledge of both the computational and agricultural aspects of the digital agriculture field
- Gaining machine learning development experience
- Presenting at international conferences
- Publishing in international peer-reviewed journals

Duration: Up to three (3) years with the possibility of further extension.

We value equity, diversity, and inclusiveness: We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, and experiences to apply.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of groundbreaking research at the forefront of agricultural innovation Join us as we pave the way for digital and machine learning supported improvements to sustainable weed management practices in Western Canada.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provision of _The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act _(Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae may be provided to participating members of the search process.

**About UM**:
The University of Manitoba is a driving force of innovation, discovery and advancement. Our momentum is propelled by our campus community - UM faculty, staff and students whose determination and curiosity shape our world for the better. Our teaching, learning and work environment is uniquely strengthened and enriched by Indigenous perspectives. With two main campuses in Winnipeg, satellite campuses throughout Manitoba, and world-wide research, UM’s impact is global.

Discover outstanding employee benefits, experience world-class facilities and join a dynamic community that values reconciliation, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. We are one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. At the University of Manitoba, what inspires you can change everything.

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Extended health care

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2025-08-01