Plant Systems and Field Scientist

OXMAN

OXMAN is a hybrid Design and R&D company that fuses design, technology, and biology to invent multi-scale products and environments. The fusion of disciplines within our work opens previously impossible opportunities within each domain-allowing design to inspire science and science to inspire design.

At OXMAN, we question dominant modes of design that have divorced us from Nature by prioritizing humanity above all else (human-centric design). Although it is design that has caused this rift, we believe that design also offers the greatest opportunity to heal it.

We propose a Nature-centric approach that delivers design solutions by, for, and with the natural world, while advancing humanity. In this pursuit, we reject all forms of segregation and instead call for a radical synergy between human-made and Nature-grown environments.

This approach demands that we design across scales for systems-level impact. We consider every designed construct a whole system of heterogeneous and complex interrelations-not isolated objects-that are intrinsically connected to their environments. In doing so, we open ourselves up to moving beyond mere maintenance toward the advancement of Nature.

Summary

OXMAN is seeking a Plant Systems & Field Scientist to join our interdisciplinary team exploring the boundaries of design, ecology, and technology. This role is central to developing ecological intelligence for high-performance environments-natural, built, or hybrid. You will lead scientific research and field data acquisition that feed into the simulation, design, and prototyping of ecologically embedded systems and interventions.

This position requires expertise in plant ecology, fieldwork methodologies, and environmental sensing technologies. It will serve as a critical bridge between OXMAN's ecosystem modeling efforts and real-world ecological conditions.

Purpose of the Engagement

• Monitor and maintain plants and research forests in the OXMAN laboratory and in the field.
• Lead field campaigns collecting high-resolution ecological data using advanced tools including hyperspectral imagery, thermal imaging, and LIDAR.
• Design, deploy, and manage distributed sensor networks-both in-ground and aerial-to capture real-time environmental and physiological data, while prototyping novel sensing modalities (e.g., micro-electromechanical sensors, spectral fluorometers, Wi-Fi-based moisture sensors).
• Identify physiological and ecological indicators of plant health and stress to inform ecosystem design and evaluation.
• Curate species-level datasets that include plant needs (sunlight, water), growth characteristics, companion dynamics, and other functional traits.
• Collaborate across disciplines to translate ecological findings into spatial strategies, simulations, and design solutions.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute fieldwork to acquire spectral, thermal, structural, and soil data from project sites.
• Design, deploy, operate and maintain sensor platforms (e.g., UAVs, terrestrial sensors, field spectrometers) for reliable and repeatable data collection.
• Work with internal teams to align field data with modeling assumptions and simulation inputs.
• Conduct research into plant stress responses, phenological patterns, and biophysical indicators of vitality.
• Analyze remote sensing data (e.g., NDVI, thermal indices, point clouds) to characterize vegetation structure and function.
• Compile and manage plant trait databases that integrate native species profiles, habitat requirements, and performance data.
• Support ecosystem modelers by contributing field-derived metrics for calibration and validation of digital twins or simulation environments.
• Participate in case study development by synthesizing field insights into design briefs and ecological strategies.
• Work alongside designers, architects, and technologists to translate biological systems into engineered interventions.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Plant Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, or related field.
• 3-5+ years of field-based ecological research experience, with a strong foundation in plant systems.
• Demonstrated experience collecting and analyzing data from hyperspectral imagery, thermal imaging, LIDAR, or satellite sources.
• Proficiency in tools such as QGIS, ENVI, R, Python, or Google Earth Engine.
• Strong communication and documentation skills for interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Experience developing or managing native plant lists for restoration, conservation, or design projects.
• Familiarity with trait-based ecological modeling or agent-based simulations.
• Knowledge of ecosystem services indicators (e.g., carbon sequestration, albedo, transpiration, resilience).
• Experience working with soil health data, weather station data, or phenocams.

What We're Looking For

• Deep curiosity for how plant systems shape and respond to environmental design.
• Comfort navigating the interface between fieldwork, lab-based research, and computational environments.
• Initiative to design and execute research agendas that bridge science and application.
• A collaborative mindset, eager to co-create with disciplines ranging from architecture and robotics to materials science.

Additional Information

• This is a full-time, permanent position based at OXMAN's headquarters, with travel required to project field sites.
• All deliverables and intellectual property developed remain the property of OXMAN.
• OXMAN is committed to cultivating an inclusive and innovative work environment. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

OXMAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.

NYC Salary Range: $75,000-$225,000

Salary is based on a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other business and organizational needs. Our compensation package also includes variable compensation in the form of year-end bonuses, benefits, immigration assistance, and equity participation.