Available Positions
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Graduate Research Assistantship (Ph.D. Level) - Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT)
Position Description:
The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida has a world-renowned program on the development and application of dynamic crop simulation models. The department is also responsible for the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (www.DSSAT.net), one of the most widely used crop models across the globe. A graduate research assistantship is available funded by the Boote Graduate Student Support program. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate who is interested in conducting research toward the development, advancement, and application of the DSSAT crop simulation models, including supervised, field-based experiences related to the student's area of study.
Eligible students must demonstrate a strong academic interest in crop physiology and the application of the DSSAT crop model and must have earned at least a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering, agronomy, horticulture, soil science or related field from a land-grant institution. Strong written and verbal communications skills as well as programming experience are recommended.
How to Apply:
If you feel that you meet these qualifications, please send a one-paragraph statement to Gerrit Hoogenboom, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept, University of Florida (gerrit@ufl.edu).
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Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D. Level) - Agricultural Water Management Lab
Position Description:
The Agricultural Water Management Lab at the Everglades Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Belle Glade, FL, is looking for a motivated Graduate Research Assistant (GRA; Ph.D. level) to develop water table management strategies for various crops in canal-based irrigation systems with shallow water tables and highly organic soils. This project aims to optimize water table level based on crop needs to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. A key emphasis will be on reducing nutrient losses (especially phosphorus) and sediment transport, contributing to improved water quality and sustainable agricultural practices. The project will focus on integrating field measurements, remote sensing, process-based simulation modeling (DSSAT, etc.), and AI to improve agricultural water management in Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). The successful candidate will be self-motivated, creative, and have a desire to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment. The candidate will be expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals and conference publications. The candidate will be expected to obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Remote Pilot Certification and learn to fly drones to collect multispectral and hyperspectral imagery. The candidate is expected to get driving license to commute to their experiment sites to collect variety of data.
Required Qualifications:
(i) M.S. degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Soil and Water Science, Agronomy, or any other related field with a GPA of 3.25 or higher; (ii) Strong data-analytical and statistical skills, including experience with programming language (Python/R); (iii) Experience with remote sensing and GIS data; (iv) Strong English writing and communication skills; (v) Non-English credentials must obtain a TOEFL score of 80 iBT or IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.
Preferred Qualifications:
(i) Knowledge and experience in process-based modelling (DSSAT) and applied machine learning; (ii) Familiarity with soil-water-plant relationship and vadose zone hydrology; (iii) Record of previous scientific communications (journal articles and/or conference publications)
How to Apply:
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Rishabh Gupta (r.gupta@ufl.edu) directly with CV, transcript, statement of purpose, and name of three references.
Application Deadline:
April 15th, 2026, or until the position is filled.
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Graduate Research Assistantship (Ph.D. Level) - Precision Water Management Lab
Background Information:
The Precision Water Management Lab in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at the University of Florida is looking for a motivated Graduate Research Assistant (GRA; Ph.D. level) to work on the FDACS-OAWP-funded project on cover crop implementation in the maize-peanut production system. The objective of this project is to understand the impact of cover crop implementation on soil quality, nutrient cycling, soil hydraulic properties, water balance components, crop water use, crop productivity, and long-term progress. The project will also integrate a cover crop management system with in-field data, process-based simulation modeling [such as DeNitrification and DeComposition (DNDC), Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) etc.], and machine learning (AI/ML) algorithms to interlink crop productivity, soil health, nutrient cycling, and their impact on economic and risk management aspects on local to regional scales. The successful candidate should have relevant experience in soil and water conservation and process-based modeling. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, creative, and have a desire to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment. The candidate will be expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals and conference publications.
Required Qualifications:
(i) M.S. degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Soil and Water Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or any other related field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; (ii) Strong quantitative skills, including experience with statistical software (R, SAS, Python, etc.); (iii) Experience in field-based crop or soil research; (iv) Strong English writing and communication skills; (v) Non-English credentials must obtain a TOEFL score of 79 iBT or IELTS score of 6.5 or higher (GRE may be waived).
Preferred Qualifications: (i) Knowledge and experience in soil health principles, process-based modelling (DNDC, DSSAT); (ii) Familiarity with soil physical measurements (infiltration tests, water retention curves), nutrient analyses, or laboratory instrumentation; (iii) Record of previous scientific communications (journal articles and/or conference publications).
How to Apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Vivek Sharma (vsharma1@ufl.edu) directly with a cover letter, CV, research statement, and name of three references.
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PhD Researcher - Precision Agriculture Laboratory
Background Information:
The Precision Agriculture Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our research program in Agricultural Autonomy (AA) — integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, and agricultural engineering to advance intelligent and sustainable farming systems.
Research Focus Areas:
- Autonomous agricultural machinery perception and navigation
- Obstacle detection and avoidance (including negative obstacles such as ditches)
- Multi-modal AI algorithms and data fusion
- Open-source agricultural datasets for large-scale autonomous system development
Funding & Support:
- Full tuition waiver, competitive stipend, and health insurance (fully funded)
- Access to advanced computing facilities, sensor systems, and experimental farms
Applicant Qualifications:
- Background in Computer Science, Electrical/Mechanical/Agricultural Engineering, or related fields
- Strong programming skills (Python, C++, etc.)
- Experience in AI/ML, robotics, or computer vision preferred
- Proficiency in English meeting PhD admission requirement
How to Apply: Please send CV, Research Statement, Academic Transcripts, and a recorded 15-minute presentation about previous experience to Dr. Won Suk “Daniel” Lee (wslee@ufl.edu)
Application Deadline: November 15th, 2025, or until the position is filled.
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Paid Internship - Watermelon Operation, Packinghouse - Leger & Son
Background Information:
This will be a paid internship, and there will be opportunity at the Zolfo Springs, FL location for the timeframe of May-June and the Cordele/Ashburn, GA location for the timeframe of June-mid July.
How to Apply: Anyone with interest or questions, please feel free to contact bailey@legerandson.com and visit the Leger & Son web page for more information.
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Biological Scientist I – Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Background Information:
This individual will manage the Precision Water Management laboratory, in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department under the guidance of Dr. Vivek Sharma. Their overall responsibility is to maintain proper function and organization of the laboratory, including, but not limited to, the following duties: Laboratory and Field Administration, Research Support, Technical Writing and Regulatory Compliance, and Training of Lab Personnel.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related life science field.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in agricultural engineering, soil water engineering, agronomy, soil science, or a closely related field.
Salary:
Commensurate with education and experience.
How to Apply: Interested applicants, please review and submit application materials on the Careers at UF listing:
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Postdoctoral Researcher in Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Reusable Transport Packaging and Circular Economy - Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Background Information:
The postdoctoral researcher will engage in advanced research focused on evaluating reverse logistics for reusable packaging to meet EU circularity requirements for U.S. specialty crop exports as part of the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program. The successful candidate will lead and conduct independent research on mathematical modeling and simulation, perform data analysis, and contribute to the development of decision-support tools and manuscripts for publication. The role involves close collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI), project partners the International Fresh Produce Association and Reusable Packaging Association, and other research team members at the University of Florida.
This is a full-time, grant-funded, 24-month position with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The salary is competitive and includes a benefits package.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related discipline.
- Strong background in AI, machine learning, network design, and systems modeling.
- Experience with mathematical modeling, simulation, and optimization in supply chain logistics.
- Familiarity with the digital twin technologies
- Demonstrated experience in publishing scientific papers.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proficiency in software tools such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar for AI and simulation tasks.
- Experience in sustainable packaging, reverse logistics, or developing digital decision-support tools.
- Experience in sustainability assessments, e.g., life-cycle assessment (LCA), techno-economic analysis (TEA)
- Previous experience in mentoring
- Familiarity with the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan and packaging regulations.
How to Apply: The review of applications will begin in September 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Please apply via https://go.ufl.edu/jobboz
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Post-doctoral Associate Position – Hydrologic and Nutrient Transport Modeling, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Background Information:
Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department and Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida (UF), seeks a post-doctoral associate for hydrologic and nutrient transport modeling in vadose zone. The post-doc will develop and use hydrologic model(s) and contribute to developing a decision support system (DSS) for multi-disciplinary projects on developing and evaluating water and nutrient best management practices (BMPs) under different groundwater environments. The post-doc will help collect and use the soil, water, and plant data from multiple sites to develop models for predicting subsurface water and nutrient transport in well-drained and poorly-drained soils in agricultural fields. The project takes a systems approach and involves conducting experiments on high-value fresh market crops under different nutrient inputs, irrigation and drainage, hydrologic, and weather conditions. The post-doc will work with a team of post-docs, students, and faculty to integrate water and nutrient loss predictions with plant, soil, water, and economic data to develop a DSS for nutrient and water management. The project team includes faculty drawn from engineering, hydrology, statistics, economics, plant, soil, and ecosystem sciences. Responsibilities include analyzing irrigation, soil, plant, hydrologic, topographic, and weather data, developing hydrologic model(s), integrating model predictions with field data, preparing reports, manuscripts, and proposals, and presenting at conferences and stakeholder meetings.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in agricultural/biological/civil/environmental engineering or related physical sciences
- Strong background in hydrologic modeling and nutrient transport processes
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience with subsurface hydrologic models (e.g. HYDRUS)
- Background in irrigation management and machine learning models is a plus
Salary:
$50,000 - $65,000/yr, commensurate with education and experience
The position is available immediately with initial appointment for one year and is likely to be renewable depending on funding and performance. Screening of candidates will begin August 15, 2024.
How to Apply: Interested applicants, please send a resume and the names of three references to Dr Sanjay Shukla, Professor, Water Resources, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (sshukla@ufl.edu).
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Graduate Research Assistantship (Ph.D. Level) - Precision Water Management Lab
Background Information:
Applications are solicited for a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) position (Ph.D. level) in the Precision Water Management lab in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at the University of Florida Starting in Summer/Fall 2024 under the supervision of Dr. Vivek Sharma. The candidate will work on the NRCS CIG on-farm funded project on Accelerating the Variable Rate Irrigation Technology. The project will include integrating VRI technology with in-field data, remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms to interlink water quantity and quality dynamics and crop productivity relationships and their impact on economic and risk management aspects on local to regional scales. The successful candidate should have relevant experience in precision water management, machine/deep learning. In addition, candidate possess strong programming skills. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, creative, and has a desire to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment. The candidate will be expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals and conference publications. The GRA will cover stipends, tuition, and fee.
Required Qualifications:
(i) Appropriate M.S. degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Precision Water Management, Soil and Water Science, Agronomy, Remote Sensing, Hydrology, or any other related field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; (ii) English writing and communication skills; (iii) Non-English credentials: TOEFL score of 79 iBT or IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.
Preferred Qualifications: (i) Knowledge and experience in applied agricultural water management research and outreach; (ii) knowledge in watershed hydrology, soil science, GIS, and hydrological and/or chemical/nutrient fate and transport modeling; (iii) Experience and willingness to work in various field conditions; (iv) Excellent Data science expertise/ Programming skills – Python, R, or similar language; (v) Record of previous scientific communications (journal articles or/and conference publications).
How to Apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Vivek Sharma (vsharma1@ufl.edu) directly with a copy of your CV, research statement, unofficial transcript, list of publications, and contact information of three references. More information about applying for a graduate degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering can be found at https://abe.ufl.edu/graduate/admissions/.
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Post Doctoral Research Associate: Hydrologic and Nutrient Transport Modeling in Vadose Zone (SWFREC)
Background Information:
Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department and Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida (UF), seeks a post-doctoral associate for hydrologic and nutrient transport modeling in vadose zone. The post-doc will develop and use hydrologic model(s) and contribute to developing a decision support system (DSS) for multi-disciplinary projects on developing and evaluating water and nutrient best management practices (BMPs) under different groundwater environments.
The post-doc will help collect and use the soil, water, and plant data from multiple sites to develop models for predicting subsurface water and nutrient transport in well-drained and poorly-drained soils in agricultural fields. The project takes a systems approach and involves conducting experiments on high-value fresh market crops under different nutrient inputs, irrigation and drainage, hydrologic, and weather conditions.
The post-doc will work with a team of post-docs, graduate students, and faculty to integrate water and nutrient loss predictions with plant, soil, water, and economic data to develop a DSS for nutrient and water management. The project team includes faculty drawn from engineering, hydrology, statistics, economics, plant, soil, and ecosystem sciences.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have Ph.D. in agricultural/biological/civil/environmental engineering, soil and water sciences, or related physical sciences. Applicants are expected to have strong background in vadose zone models (e.g. HYDRUS) and nutrient transport processes. Background in irrigation management for agricultural systems and machine learning models is a plus.
Employment:
The position is available immediately with initial appointment for one year and is likely to be renewable depending on funding and performance. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience and is likely to range from $50,000- $62,000/year.
How To Apply:
Send a resume and the names of three references to Dr Sanjay Shukla, Professor, Water Resources, Agricultural and Biological Engineering ( sshukla@ufl.edu ) and Ms Becky Decker ( rdecker54@ufl.edu ). The screening of candidates will begin July 24th, 2023.
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Post Doctoral Research Associate: Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR)
Background Information:
The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position as part of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) project titled “Integrated Food Waste Measurement and Predictions Supported by Agent-Based Models (IFWASTE)”
The successful candidate will be at the forefront of applying advanced modeling and simulation tools, with a particular focus on agent-based modeling, to the assessment of food loss and waste at the household level. This project is aimed at building and refining advanced simulations to assess the multifaceted complexities of food loss and waste systems. The hired postdoctoral researcher will work in an interdisciplinary team of engineers, social scientists, implementation partners such as City of Gainesville, Alachua County, and Sarasota Extension office and help coordinate the project efforts.
Qualifications:
PhD in Systems Science, Computer Science, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, Economics, or a closely related field; Expertise in agent-based modeling and advanced simulation tools; Experience in analyzing complex systems, with a preference for research related to food loss and waste; Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or R; Interest and expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science is a plus; Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to publish research findings; Ability to work in a collaborative research environment and coordinate the project teams and ensure the milestones are met
Employment:
This is a full-time, grant-funded, 18-month position with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. Salary is competitive and includes a benefits package.
How To Apply:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter detailing their research interests and experience, a CV, and contact information for three references to ziynetboz@ufl.edu
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Graduate Research Assistantship (Ph.D. Level) - Agricultural Robotics and AI
Background Information:
The Bio-Sensing Automation and Intelligence Laboratory (B-SAIL) (www.uflbsail.net) in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida is seeking highly motivated graduate students for Ph.D.-level research assistantships (RA) in agricultural sensing, automation, and AI. We are currently accepting applications for these positions, which will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Qualifications:
Successful candidates should have relevant experiences and interests in one or more of the following areas: computer vision, mechatronics, robotics, electronics, sensing, and machine learning/deep learning. Additionally, candidates should possess strong programming skills in one or more of the following languages: Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C/C++, Java, and IDL. A proven ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals and a willingness to learn new technologies is also desirable.
How to Apply: Interested applicants should send their curriculum vitae, a list of three references, and transcripts to Dr. Changying “Charlie” Li at cli2@ufl.edu.
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Post Doctoral Research Associate: AI in Land Cover Dynamics
Background Information:
The candidate is expected to provide leadership in remote sensing-based land cover dynamics using AI algorithms and high-performance computing in support of a NASA-funded project. Responsibilities include conducting and documenting research activities, writing refereed journal publications and research proposals.
Qualifications:
An earned doctorate in Electrical, Computer, Civil, Environmental, or Agricultural Engineering, or a closely related field. Candidate should be experienced in using remote sensing datasets, developing remote sensing algorithms and AI techniques. Applicants should have a good publication record, effective communication skills, and an ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students in the Center, the ABE Department and with other units on campus.
Employment:
This is a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty appointment. Initial appointment is for one year, with an opportunity for renewal. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications.
How To Apply:
To apply for this position, submit a letter of application describing your relevant experience, resume, transcripts, and the name and full contact information for three references to Prof. Jasmeet Judge via email jasmeet@ufl.edu