Imaging Data Scientist

Job#: 3029764

Job Description:
Imaging Data Scientist

Location: Johnston, Iowa (Partial Remote)
Employment Type: Contract

Role Overview

This role operates at the intersection of plant cell biology and applied AI. The objective is to design, productionize, and maintain computer vision pipelines that accelerate Doubled Haploid (DH) breeding. The position involves end-to-end imaging and analytics, from microscopy-based microspore detection to macroscopic plantlet characterization, to support decisions that reduce cycle time and cost in DH programs. Solutions will be developed primarily in Python and integrated with internal repositories and workflow tooling.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver deep learning-based computer vision models for microscopy and macroscopic assays, including detection, segmentation, and classification.
• Build production-ready pipelines in Python for data ingestion, preprocessing, augmentation, inference, and batch processing, ensuring reproducibility and documentation.
• Implement hyperspectral analysis workflows, including band selection, normalization, feature extraction, and model training.
• Collaborate with biology teams to harmonize imaging acquisition and analysis, standardizing capture practices and file formats.
• Quantify model performance using metrics such as precision/recall, F1-score, and ROC/AUC, and create reports for review sessions.
• Operationalize pipelines at scale, processing tens of thousands of images and optimizing inference performance.
• Partner with stakeholders across Biotech, Breeding, and Data Science to align deliverables with deployment milestones.
• Maintain intellectual property and data stewardship practices consistent with internal strategy.

Required Qualifications

Experience: 4-6 years of hands-on experience in computer vision with Python (PyTorch or TensorFlow), applied to scientific or industrial imaging.

Technical Skills: Proven ability to productionize models using Git/GitLab, conduct code reviews, and use CI/CD basics. Experience with experiment tracking (MLFlow or equivalent), reproducible data practices, microscopy image processing (multi-page TIFFs, z-stacks), and familiarity with hyperspectral imaging pipelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Vision Transformers (ViT) and modern YOLO workflows for microscopy tasks.
• Experience optimizing inference performance and scaling batch workflows.
• Domain familiarity with biotech or plant breeding workflows.
• Experience collaborating with discovery, engineering, and strategy teams.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Rate: $60.00/hr - $70.00/hr

Work Environment

• Strong cross-functional communication is necessary, with the ability to translate biology and process needs into computer vision requirements.
• The role requires an ownership mindset regarding documentation, reproducibility, and IP-aware collaboration.
• A curious, learning-oriented, and adaptable mindset is valued.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and autonomy are expected.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

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Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.