PhD Opening: AI and Robotics for Smart Weed Control and Plant Phenotyping - Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

This is an announcement for a PhD graduate research assistantship in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University. The role focuses on developing AI/ML and robotic solutions for weed detection, plant phenotyping, and precision agriculture.

Key details:

• Program: PhD in Agronomy, housed in Soil and Crop Sciences with collaboration in Mechanical Engineering under Dr. Kiju Lee

• Research focus: Smart weed control, plant phenotyping, precision spray systems, and robotics for agriculture

• Required skills: MS degree preferred (BS + experience considered), hands-on robotic hardware experience, Python for robotics/ML, computer vision tools like OpenCV/YOLO, and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams

• Preferred skills: ROS, autonomous platforms, high-throughput phenotyping pipelines, precision spray systems

• Start date: Summer/Fall 2026, negotiable

• Application: Email CV, unofficial transcript, and 3 referee contacts to Dr. Muthukumar Bagavathiannan at muthu.bagavathiannan@tamu.edu with subject line 'Field Robotics'

• Note: International applicants welcome, but US-based candidates get preference. Screening starts immediately.