The Kitzes Lab at the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Biological Sciences (http://kitzeslab.org) is seeking a Research Programmer to assist with research studying the spatial distributions of bird and bat species at landscape scales.
The Kitzes Lab is currently placing autonomous acoustic recorders throughout landscapes in western Pennsylvania to record ambient sounds. This data is then processed to identify the species present near each recorder and their relative activity levels, which we analyze to determine the factors that influence where organisms are found and why.
We are seeking an experienced data analyst and programmer to support the development of algorithms and software to identify the species present in these recorded sound files, as well as to assist with the placement and retrieval of recorders in the field.
Competitive applicants will have several, though not necessarily all, of the following skills:
– Experience programming in Python (or a similar language), and the ability to rapidly learn new languages and techniques, as needed.
– Experience working with development tools and platforms such as GitHub, Docker, and Amazon AWS.
– Experience with machine learning and/or classification methods.
– Experience with statistical modeling, including mixed models and/or Bayesian analysis.
– Experience working in Unix/Linux environments.
– Experience with Raspberry Pi’s, UDOO boards, or other single board computers.
– A working knowledge of the principles of audio recording, amplification, or analysis.
– The ability to walk up to three miles on uneven terrain.
– Strong verbal and written communication skills.
This position is available initially for one year, with an extension for a second year available pending a positive first-year review. We may be able to provide flexibility in work hours and location, if requested by applicants.
For more information, and to apply for the position, please visit https://www.pittsource.com/postings/148476.