Assistant Professor – AI & Data-Driven Precision Agriculture

The Department of Agricultural Science and Engineering at Tennessee State University (TSU) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor with expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and data-driven decision support systems for precision agriculture.

The Assistant Professor – AI & Data-Driven Precision Agriculture position is part of a strategic cluster hire focused on advancing intelligent, technology-enabled agricultural systems that enhance productivity, sustainability, and climate resilience. The successful candidate will develop an externally funded research program that applies AI, ML, and advanced analytics to agronomic and horticultural production systems, with clear pathways to producer adoption and stakeholder impact.

Key Responsibilities

Research (Primary Emphasis)

• Develop an innovative, externally funded research program in AI-enabled precision agriculture, with emphasis on:
  • Machine learning and artificial intelligence for agricultural decision support
  • Analysis of large-scale geospatial, sensor, and remote sensing datasets (e.g., multispectral, hyperspectral, LiDAR)
  • Predictive modeling for crop performance, resource efficiency, and climate-smart resilience
  • Data integration across biological, environmental, and management domains
• Compete successfully for funding from federal, state and industry partners.
• Publish research in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and contribute to open, reproducible data and analytical workflows where appropriate.
• Translate research outputs into producer-facing decision support tools
• Collaborate with partners to co-design and evaluate data-driven solutions.
• Support technology adoption among agricultural operations consistent with land-grant mission.

Teaching & Workforce Development

• Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in precision agriculture, data science, AI/ML applications in agriculture, or related areas as assigned by the chair.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students and supervise M.S. and Ph.D. research.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary graduate training in advanced agricultural technologies.

Collaboration & Service

• Collaborate actively with faculty across plant science, crop improvement, soil science, plant pathology, engineering.
• Participate in departmental college, university, and professional service activities.