Visiting Research Assistant (MCE)

Florida Institute of Technology; Melbourne (KY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Tech in Melbourne, FL is seeking a Research Assistant to develop a methodology to characterize tree hazard in Florida and to integrate it into the Florida Public Hazard and Landscape Model. You will work with a cross-disciplinary team to identify data sources, define variables, and select pilot areas.

Responsibilities include running the model with and without tree hazard characterization, validating the approach, and contributing to risk assessment and decision support.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Applied Mathematics and Data Science is required.
• Strong programming and data science skills with experience in data visualization and ML.
• Experience with data engineering and databases is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define the required tree variables.
• Identify and provide existing Florida data sources.
• Select Florida pilot areas.
• Integrate tree hazard map into FPHLM.
• Define validation opportunities.
• Run FPHLM with and without tree hazard characterization.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

JavaScript/TypeScript

Data visualization

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Econometrics

Jupyter Notebook

Git

Docker

REST APIs

FastAPI

MongoDB

PostgreSQL

React

Node.js

Express.js

VS Code

Education

Master's degree in Applied Mathematics and Data Science

Tools

Python

R

SQL

JavaScript/TypeScript

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

Matplotlib

Data visualization

Econometrics

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Jupyter Notebook

Docker

REST APIs

FastAPI

MongoDB

PostgreSQL

React

Node.js

Express.js

Git

VS Code

Job description

The Research Assistant will develop a methodology to characterize the tree hazard in Florida.

Responsibilities :

• Define the required tree variables.
• Identify and provide existing Florida data sources.
• Select Florida pilot areas.
• Integrate tree hazard map into FPHLM.
• Define validation opportunities.
• Run FPHLM with and without tree hazard characterization.

Requirements:

Master's degree in Applied Mathematics and Data Science.

Experience/Skills:

• Programming: Python, R, SQL, JavaScript/TypeScript
• Data Science & ML: Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, Matplotlib, statistics modeling, machine learning, hypothesis, testing, data visualization, econometrics.
• Data engineering & Databases: Data modelling, ETL, pipelines, REST APIs, FastAPI, MongoDB, postgreSQL.
• Web & Tools: React, Node.js, Express.js, Flutter, Git, VS code, Jupyter Notebook, Docker.

Equal Opportunity

Florida Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics in its activities and programs. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Florida Tech does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Inquiries concerning the application of the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy may be directed to the Equal Opportunity Director and Investigator at 150 West University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901, or email [e-mail] , or [phone]; or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Please notify us at least five days in advance if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed by calling the Office of Human Resources at 321-674-8100.

Annual Security & Fire Safety Report

The federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires colleges and universities, both public and private, participating in federal student aid programs to disclose campus safety information, and imposes certain basic requirements for handling incidents of sexual violence and emergency situations.

Florida Tech’s 2026 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Florida Tech; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.

The numbers provided include crime statistics that were reported to local law enforcement agencies, campus security and other Campus Security Authorities.

The report also includes institutional policy statements regarding campus safety and security measures; descriptions of prevention and awareness programs; related university procedures and important guidance; and other essential safety information.

You can obtain a printed copy of this report at the Department of Security Welcome Center located at 3126 Panther Place, during normal business hours, or by accessing the following web site 2026 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report .

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts of all collegiate work must be sent directly from the attended institution to the Office of Human Resources prior to the first day of employment. All international degrees must have a course-by-course official evaluation and translation sent to the Human Resources Office directly from an evaluation company affiliated with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES).

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