Seasonal Field & Lab Technician (Forestry + Fuels) — Georgia

This role can be structured as seasonal/project-based or extended into a longer-term position depending on project needs and candidate fit.

Gaia AI is hiring a motivated individual to support a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)-funded research project focused on fuel load monitoring and wildfire risk. You’ll assist with collecting field and lab data using simple methods (training provided), contributing to research that supports next-generation fire modeling workflows (including QUIC-Fire and FastFuels). This is an entry-level, seasonal role. 

This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys a mix of hands-on fieldwork + organized lab processing, and who takes pride in producing clean, reliable data.

What you’ll do

Fieldwork (Georgia + regional travel as needed; intensity and duration vary by project phase)

• Collect surface fuel load samples using clip plot methods (0.25 m²) following established protocols and project guidance
• Assist with basic forest measurements (e.g., tree diameter and height)
• Support plot navigation, setup, and documentation (flagging, labeling, metadata capture)
• Operate and assist with deployment of Gaia AI field equipment (training provided)

Lab-based work (Athens, GA area)

• Process clip plot samples: sorting, drying, and weighing biomass
• Maintain organized sample tracking (labels, chain-of-custody, logs) to ensure samples and measurements remain linkable to plot IDs and LiDAR scans
• Help keep the workflow efficient and QA-friendly (catching inconsistencies early)
• Lab responsibilities may scale up or down depending on field campaign timing.

Qualifications

Required

• Interest in forestry, fuels, ecology, or natural resources. Coursework or field experience is a plus, but not required.
• Ability to measure DBH and tree height 
• Strong attention to detail 
• Ability to work independently and manage time well in a field campaign setting
• Comfort working outdoors in variable conditions (heat, humidity, uneven terrain) and carrying weight
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to field sites

Nice to have

• Experience with fuels sampling methods (clip plots, surface fuels, vegetation cover estimates, etc.)
• Lab experience processing ecological or soils/biomass samples (sorting/drying/weighing)
• Familiarity with GPS navigation, plot layouts, and field metadata collection
• Experience collaborating with federal/state land managers or research teams

Location & schedule

• Preferred location: Georgia (Athens area strongly preferred)
• Start: As soon as available (training and ramp-up can begin earlier depending on availability)
• Work follows a project-based cadence with concentrated field campaigns and lab processing periods
• Expected commitment may range from seasonal (multi-month field campaigns) to extended or full-time involvement, depending on project needs and candidate availability

Specific timelines and intensity will be coordinated in advance with the field lead and may evolve based on project progress

What we offer

• A chance to directly contribute to DoD wildfire risk and prescribed fire science
• Hands-on experience supporting a cutting-edge workflow connecting field fuels + LiDAR + fire behavior modeling
• Work alongside an experienced team collaborating with USFS researchers and federal partners
• Training on project protocols and Gaia AI equipment
• A mission-driven team building practical tools for better forest and fire management
• · Flexible role structure with opportunity to extend into longer-term or full-time work based on performance and project needs

About Gaia AI

Climate change and wildfire risk are reshaping how forests are managed. Gaia AI is a climate tech company building modern, high-precision tools for forest monitoring using advanced sensors and perception AI. Our work supports forest management for multiple values, including carbon, biodiversity, sustainable wood production, and wildfire risk mitigation.

How to apply

Send a short note with your relevant field experience and availability (especially for 2026/2027 field seasons), plus a resume/CV to estefania@gaia-ai.eco