The Division of Plant Diseases and Crop Protection at the University of Goettingen, Germany, is advertising a position for an

Engineer for AI-based image analysis and optical sensing of plant diseases
80% position, Entgeltgruppe 11 TV-L (salary grade)
Starting date: as soon as possible
Initial duration: two years, with the possibility to convert the position to a permanent contract after a successful evaluation
Application deadline: 31 July 2026

The position supports research on plant diseases through the development and application of AI-based image analysis workflows and optical sensing approaches. The successful candidate will work at the interface of scientific programming, machine learning, image analysis, optical sensing technologies and plant disease experiments.

We are looking for a highly motivated and technically skilled engineer with at least a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science or a related field, and strong experience in scientific programming, AI-based image analysis, machine learning and data management. Experience with large image datasets, image analysis pipelines, and training, testing and validating machine-learning or deep-learning models is expected. Experience with RGB, multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal infrared or 3D/LiDAR-based image data acquisition applied to biological systems (ideally plants or plant diseases) would be an advantage.

Main tasks include:
- developing, testing and documenting workflows for image annotation, preprocessing, quality control, model training, validation and structured storage of results from plant disease experiments;
- applying image analysis, machine learning and deep learning to RGB, multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal infrared and 3D/LiDAR-based image data;
- supporting optical sensing experiments under controlled conditions, including sensor setup, calibration and data quality control;
- supporting field-based sensing campaigns using ground-based robotic platforms and UAV-based systems;
- training and supporting MSc students, doctoral researchers, postdocs and other members of the division in image analysis, annotation tools, data management and model validation.

The position offers an interdisciplinary working environment at the interface of plant pathology, optical sensing, artificial intelligence and data science, within a growing research division developing modern quantitative approaches for studying plant diseases.

More details here https://obp.uni-goettingen.de/en-US/Stellen/StellenDruck/76465

Applications should be uploaded as a single PDF file via the University of Goettingen application portal:

http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76465

For further information, please contact:

Professor Alexey Mikaberidze
Division of Plant Diseases and Crop Protection
University of Goettingen
Email: alexey.mikaberidze@uni-goettingen.de

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