Mapping forest structure and composition in Southeast Asian forests M/F

IRD Occitanie; France; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

IRD Occitanie recherche un ingénieur-chercheur au sein de l'unité AMAP à Montpellier, pour un contrat de 22 mois sur le projet DEEPFOREST. Le candidat contribuera à cartographier les forêts tropicales et à analyser les facteurs environnementaux et anthropiques qui les façonnent.

Diplôme de doctorant et expertise en télédétection, écologie forestière ou vision par ordinateur exigés; expérience ou forte intérêt pour les écosystèmes forestiers souhaités.

Qualifications

• Diplôme de doctorat en télédétection, écologie forestière, vision par ordinateur ou domaine connexe.
• Expérience ou intérêt marqué pour les écosystèmes forestiers tropicaux.
• Capacité à communiquer des résultats scientifiques en anglais et en français.

Responsibilities

• Produire des cartographies des forêts tropicales avec mise en évidence de la structure et de la biomasse.
• Intégrer et analyser des données multi-sources (LiDAR, imagerie satellite, photos historiques, inventaires).
• Développer et mettre en œuvre des méthodes spatiales et de modélisation avec apprentissage automatique.
• Analyser les moteurs environnementaux et anthropiques de la structure forestière.
• Contribuer à la diffusion scientifique et participer à des réunions avec les partenaires.

Skills

Python

R

Spatial analysis

Data processing

Education

PhD ou équivalent en télédétection, écologie forestière ou vision par ordinateur

Tools

GIS software

Deep learning frameworks

Job description

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Organisation/Company IRD Occitanie Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Researcher Profile Other Profession Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Category A – Research Engineer
Job profile: BAP A – A1-A41

Research Unit: UMR AMAP

Position location: UMR AMAP, Montpellier
Open to fixed-term contract applicants – 22-month contract

• About the employer

An international French research institute, l’IRD IRD contributes to strengthening the resilience of societies in the face of global upheavals. It is present in more than 50 countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, as well as in mainland France and France’s overseas territories.

Its research activities address priority needs in practical ways: mitigating and adapting to climate change, combating poverty and inequality, preserving biodiversity, improving access to healthcare, and taking social dynamics into account. Research questions are developed in collaboration with local stakeholders and communities. Through long-term partnerships, teams bring together different perspectives, disciplines and knowledge to build robust solutions with significant impact.

IRD champions research that benefits as many people as possible. It shares the results of its projects and puts science at the service of action. In this way, it supports the transformation of societies towards fairer and more sustainable social, economic and ecological models.

• The research unit you will be joining

UMR AMAP (Botany and Modelling of Plant and Vegetation Architecture) is an interdisciplinary research unit at the interface of botany, modelling and ecology. It develops fundamental knowledge about plants and vegetation to improve our understanding of, and ability to predict, ecosystem responses to environmental change, particularly with regard to species distribution and conservation, biodiversity, agricultural production, carbon storage in plant biomass, and the maintenance of ecosystem services. AMAP brings together one of the world’s largest research groups specialising in tropical forest ecology, as well as a large community of computer vision developers, notably behind the Pl@ntNet application. The laboratory offers an international and inclusive working environment in Montpellier, a dynamic university city with a diverse scientific community. Botanique et modélisation de l’architecture des plantes et des végétations

Under the supervision of a senior researcher in forest ecology, and in close collaboration with a research scientist specialising in the development of deep-learning approaches for remote sensing, your mission will be to contribute to mapping the structure and composition of tropical forests and analysing their environmental and anthropogenic drivers. You will integrate remote-sensing data, historical photographs and field inventories using advanced spatial analysis and machine-learning methods.

• Your main activities will include:


• Produce maps of tropical forests, focusing in particular on forest structure, above-ground biomass and forest types.


• Integrate and analyse multi-source data, including LiDAR data, very-high-spatial-resolution satellite imagery, multispectral and hyperspectral imagery, historical photographs and field inventories.


• Develop and implement spatial analysis and modelling methods, drawing on advanced remote-sensing, machine-learning and deep-learning approaches.


• Analyse the environmental and anthropogenic drivers of tropical forest structure and composition, particularly the effects of climate and disturbance history.


• Contribute to the scientific dissemination of results by writing scientific publications, presenting work at meetings and conferences, and engaging with project partners.


• Develop complementary research questions at the interface of forest ecology, remote sensing and data science, according to your profile and scientific interests.


• Take part in scientific and methodological discussions with the remote-sensing, deep-learning and forest-ecology specialists involved in the project.


• Your future team

You will be primarily affiliated with the DYAFOR (Tropical Forest Dynamics and Assembly) and TETROFOR (Remote Sensing of Tropical Vegetation) research groups. You will work within the DEEPFOREST project, which brings together EFEO, ENPC, LSCE and AMAP in an interdisciplinary team. Funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) and supported by IRD, the project offers a stimulating scientific environment in Montpellier, within an international research community.

Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The profile we are looking for

You have developed the following skills:

• Quantitative skills and programming: proficiency in Python and/or R, with experience in spatial analysis and data processing.


• Statistics and geomatics: good knowledge of statistics and/or geomatics.


• Scientific communication: good command of written and spoken English (B2–C1 level).


• Critical thinking and responsible digital practices: ability to use artificial intelligence tools critically and responsibly.

You demonstrate the following interpersonal skills:

• Ability to work independently, organise your activities and take initiative.


• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.


• Scientific curiosity, openness to different disciplines and willingness to acquire new skills.


• Critical thinking, rigour and problem-solving skills.


• Good communication skills and the ability to interact with scientific partners from a range of backgrounds.

You have a scientific background and a PhD (French qualification level 8) in remote sensing, forest ecology, computer vision or a related field, together with experience of and/or a strong interest in forest ecosystems.

Applications from candidates with a range of backgrounds in forest ecology, remote sensing, geomatics, computer vision or data science are encouraged. Candidates are not expected to be proficient in all the methods and data types used in the project.

• Fieldwork

Occasional field missions in Southeast Asia may be considered during the contract, depending on the needs of the project and your profile.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

Joining IRD

Throughout your career, IRD will support you in developing your skills.

The institute provides a range of resources, including a digital onboarding programme, access to continuing professional development, career advancement and mobility opportunities.

Depending on the nature of the activities, IRD offers the possibility of working remotely one to three days per week.

By joining IRD, you will benefit from:

• 32 days of annual leave plus 13 additional days off (RTT) for a full-time position.


• Access to a staff canteen or meal vouchers (depending on the work site).


• Optional annual membership of the AOS, providing access to holiday, leisure, sports and cultural activities.


• Membership of the MGEN supplementary social protection scheme, providing comprehensive health and income-protection coverage.

A pleasant working environment close to nature, served by tram line 5, accessible by bicycle and with a car-sharing scheme (under a mobility agreement with the metropolitan authority).

IRD: an institute that gives meaning to your career

Our recruitment is based on skills, without distinction as to origin, age or gender. All our positions are open to people with disabilities.