MTS Level 6 - Research Assistant - School Of Climate Change And Adaptation - Faculty Of Science

The University of Prince Edward Island is hiring a Research Assistant for the Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation. This role involves developing robotic platforms for precision agriculture, integrating AI and machine learning, conducting field trials, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should have a Master's in relevant fields and strong experience in robotics and programming. The position is full-time and based in Charlottetown, PE, Canada.
The Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation (CCCCA) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is seeking a Research Assistant to work on cutting-edge research in sustainable agriculture. The CCCCA is a 45,000-square-foot research facility in St. Peter’s Bay, PEI. The facility and the surrounding lands serve as a living laboratory that allows unlimited access to nearby wetlands, forests, and coastal habitats. The CCCCA is a world-leading research and teaching centre for understanding and adapting to climate change impacts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The research focus of this position will include:
• Designing, developing, and coding robotic platforms for precision agriculture applications.
• Integrating machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze agricultural data for optimized decision-making.
• Implementing computer vision techniques for precision disease detection in crops.
• Developing and deploying robotic systems for automated monitoring, data collection, and intervention in agricultural fields.
• Conducting field and lab trials to test robotic systems, collecting relevant agricultural data, and evaluating system performance.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including agronomists, engineers, and data scientists, to ensure robust system development.
• Publishing research findings in high-impact journals and contributing to conference presentations.
• Writing research reports and project proposals.
• Conduct labs and workshops focused on AI applications, robotics, and precision agriculture techniques for students.
• Train students on AI and ML applications.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Masters in Sustainable Desing Engineering, Robotics, or Electronics Engineering.
• Strong experience in robotics, including hardware design, embedded systems, and automation.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or ROS (Robot Operating System).
• Experience with AI, ML, and computer vision techniques for agricultural applications.
• Ability to develop and integrate robotic perception systems (sensors, cameras, and actuators) for real-world deployment.
• Strong data analysis, modelling, and visualization skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple research tasks efficiently.
• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary research team.

Commitment to a collegial and inclusive workplace.