Geospatial Data Scientist - Forest AI & LiDAR Insights

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development NSW; Parramatta; On-site; AUD 78,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Geospatial Data Scientist role at NSW DPIRD Parramatta focuses on turning remotely sensed data into insights that guide forest monitoring and management. You will build ML, DL and statistical models for hyperspectral, multispectral and LiDAR data, and create analysis-ready data products for ongoing and future research projects.

You will publish findings to scientific and government audiences, collaborate with researchers and industry partners, and occasionally conduct fieldwork in NSW

Qualifications

• Passion for using data science to improve forest understanding and management.
• Curiosity to keep pace with the latest AI models and apply them to real-world problems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a creative approach to messy, complex data.
• Ability to integrate spectral, structural and field data into robust, validated products.
• Collaborative approach, working well with team researchers, government and industry partners.
• Ability to communicate technical results clearly to scientific and non-specialist audiences.
• Organised, practical approach to delivering high-quality work on time and within budget.
• Enthusiasm for occasional fieldwork in NSW forests.
• Demonstrated experience applying AI and statistical workflows to environmental or biological data.
• Experience with at least two of hyperspectral, multispectral and LiDAR data.
• Strong programming and modelling skills (Python preferred; R or C++), ENVI and data visualisation tools such as ggplot or Tableau.
• Experience handling very large datasets using cloud computing, remote servers and Linux.

Responsibilities

• Collates, validates, analyses and models spatial data, using AI and statistical workflows to produce spatial products and reports.
• Develops ML, DL and statistical models for hyperspectral, multispectral and LiDAR datasets.
• Assembles and curates analysis-ready data products for current and future research projects.
• Publishes and presents findings to scientific, government and industry audiences, and collaborates across government and academia.
• Occasionally conducts field data collection in NSW forests.

Skills

Data science

Python

R/C++

AI/ML workflows

Hyperspectral data

LiDAR

3D point clouds

Cloud computing

ENVI

ggplot/Tableau

Fieldwork

Education

Post-graduate degree (PhD preferred)

Tools

LAStools

CloudCompare

GGPlot/Tableau

Job description

The Geospatial Data Scientist role at NSW DPIRD Parramatta focuses on turning remotely sensed data into insights that guide forest monitoring and management. You will build ML, DL and statistical models for hyperspectral, multispectral and LiDAR data, and create analysis-ready data products for ongoing and future research projects.

You will publish findings to scientific and government audiences, collaborate with researchers and industry partners, and occasionally conduct fieldwork in NSW