Applied Scientist – Forest Lidar, 3D ML

Sylvera

Applied Scientist developing and deploying 3D deep learning models for forest lidar applications in a climate-focused startup. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance data products and methodologies.

Posted 6/15/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Developing, training, and deploying 3D deep learning models (e.g., sparse convolutions, PointNet, TreeLearn or other similar architectures) to automate tree instance segmentation and Quantitative Structure Model (QSM) generation.
Translating experimental ML research into robust, reproducible code, working closely with our production engineering team to deploy models at scale.
Collaborating with our field teams and scientists to ensure model outputs align with biological reality and accurately capture complex forest structures.
Taking full ownership of an open applied research problem — scoping, prototyping, and iterating quickly to find solutions where no guaranteed blueprint exists.
Working in the lidar team to improve existing data products and methods to more efficiently undertake existing and ongoing manual segmentation and quality assurance.
And beyond segmentation, working with the wider EA team to solve other complex technical challenges involving point cloud and geospatial data, for example including retrieval of metrics characterising forest structure from high-density aerial lidar, forest carbon modeling, uncertainty quantification and automated tree species recognition.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Has deep expertise in 3D point cloud processing and machine learning applied to 3D spatial data.
Is highly proficient in Python and the modern spatial/lidar software stack (e.g., PDAL, laspy, Open3D).
Brings domain knowledge in forest ecology
Cares deeply about the climate and ecosystems of the earth.
Is a self-starter who thrives in constantly evolving environments, ideally with early-stage experience.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity in a rapidly growing startup
Private Health Insurance and Life Assurance
Unlimited annual leave - and encouragement to actually use it!
Enhanced parental leave
Up to 20 days paid sick leave
No corners cut in having the best tech to do your job
Access to Mental Health support
Monthly team socials

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

3D deep learning modelssparse convolutionsPointNetTreeLearnmachine learning3D point cloud processingPythonsegmentationquality assuranceforest carbon modeling

Soft Skills

collaborationownershipself-starteradaptabilityproblem-solving