Research Assistant Position in AI for Forest Damage Mapping
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet / Högskolejobb / Umeå
2025-09-02
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Climate change and human disturbances are placing increasing pressure on Europe's forests, demanding advanced methods for early detection and monitoring. We are seeking a research assistant to contribute to the development of innovative, AI-based solutions for mapping forest disturbances using satellite data and deep learning..
About the position
Forests across Europe are experiencing unprecedented pressures from climate change, with increasing frequency of insect outbreaks, storm damage, droughts, and human-driven disturbances such as commercial thinning and illegal logging. Timely detection and accurate mapping of these changes are crucial for sustainable forest management, climate adaptation, and the safeguarding of biodiversity. The position focuses on the use of deep learning and Earth observation data to advance our understanding and monitoring of forest disturbances. You will work with large-scale satellite datasets, particularly Sentinel-2 time series, and explore how artificial intelligence can be used to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and scalability of forest disturbance detection. A central aim is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and operational monitoring systems that directly support forest owners, policymakers, and national authorities.
As a research assistant, your main responsibilities will include:
• Processing and preparing remote sensing datasets and ground-truth datasets for analysis.
• Implementing and improving deep learning models for detecting and mapping forest disturbances.
• Validating model performance using reference datasets and ground truth information from partners.
• Preparing scientific outputs.
• Supporting collaboration with project partners, particularly in data exchange and integration of results.
• Assisting in preparing for future projects.
Your profile
A master degree degree is required in relevant areas such as remote sensing, computer sciences, and mathematics. You are also required to have strong background in deep learning for image analysis, e.g. change detection, semantic segmentation, or multimodal fusion, experience in deep learning for image analysis using time series satellite data, excellent programming skills (Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow), and strong publication record in international journals. Merits include development of advanced deep learning architectures (e.g., transformers, graph networks) for remote sensing, experience in large-scale and operational remote sensing applications, as well as collaboration with stakeholders and applied projects.
The assessment will put particular emphasis on (1) your scientific proficiency in technology and engineering subjects that are relevant to the position, (2) your ability to implement the project tasks, (3) your ability to collaborate and teamwork with the research group and external collaborators from the private sector. We also put great importance on personal qualities, such as teamwork, problem-solving, coordination, leadership, communication, executive skills, and independence.
About us
The Department of Forest Resource Management conducts education and research in the areas of forest planning, forest remote sensing, forest inventory and sampling, forest mathematical statistics and landscape studies. The department is also responsible for the implementation of the ongoing environmental monitoring programs the National Forest Inventory, The National Inventories of the Landscapes in Sweden, Terrestrial Habitat Monitoring and the Butterfly and Bumblebee Inventory. In total, we are about 110 employees.
More information can be found here.
Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting:
https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/Location
Umeå
Form of employment
Fixed-term employment 8 months, with the possibility of extension.
Scope
100%
Start date
According to agreement, preferably starting in autumn 2025.
Application
Please submit your application before deadline 16 September 2025. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.
Union representatives
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/ The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.
SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Ersättning Fast lön
Så ansöker du Sista dag att ansöka är 2025-09-16
Klicka på denna länk för att göra din ansökan Omfattning Detta är ett heltidsjobb.
Arbetsgivare Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet (org.nr 202100-2817),
http://www.slu.se Arbetsplats Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
Kontakt Head of Division
Jonas Bohlin
firstname.lastname@slu.se +4690-786 86 40 Jobbnummer 9486955