Assistant Professor - AI-Enabled Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems

University Location: Cornell University AgriTech campus in Geneva, NY, with the academic home for this position in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Agriculture today faces mounting pressure from a changing climate, land, water and labor shortages, and soil degradation, even as demand grows for food, fiber, and fuel. Advances in intelligent systems and physical AI — including robotics and autonomous systems — are helping address these challenges by minimizing inputs and automating labor-intensive work, though substantial work remains to advance and translate these technologies into commercially viable, everyday farming practice. Cornell CALS is at the forefront of this effort, having invested heavily in AI, robotics, and precision agriculture research, education, and extension across BEE, AgriTech, and Animal Science — including a $30 million commitment to advancing practical AI and automated technologies for farmers across New York and beyond. As part of this investment, the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) and Cornell AgriTech, both in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University, welcome applications for a full-time tenure-track position in AI-Enabled Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems at the assistant professor level. Position Overview: This position will be jointly affiliated with BEE and AgriTech, facilitating close partnership between the two units across research, education, and Extension programs. The successful candidate will be based at the AgriTech campus in Geneva, NY, while remaining fully engaged with the BEE community based in Ithaca, NY, and will draw on the strengths of both locations. As a tenure home, membership in BEE provides close access to undergraduate students and experts across a broad range of engineering, agriculture and life-science disciplines to accelerate fundamental innovation, while Cornell AgriTech's expanded laboratory, makerspace, farming infrastructure, and deep subject-matter expertise support translational and applied research and Extension work. This arrangement offers a unique opportunity for building broad collaboration and drawing on the best resources at both locations, bringing together researchers, growers, and industry partners to advance emerging technologies and put them into growers' hands. The successful candidate will focus on advancing precision and automated ag solutions for Specialty Crops as well as other emerging agriculture of NY. This is a research and extension position with an opportunity to contribute to undergraduate and graduate education through seminars, technology demonstrations and mentoring in lab and field research. Outstanding research scholarship is expected, as is excellence in and commitment to extension and outreach, translation of knowledge, and advising and mentoring of students. We seek a colleague with an outstanding record demonstrating success and promise across all these areas, and who will be supported by and contribute to a diverse, vibrant culture of excellence at Cornell. As such, the successful candidate is expected to engage in service and leadership activities within Cornell AgriTech, BEE department, CALS, university, and relevant professional societies. The CALS Roadmap to 2050 encourages collaborating across the university, our network of partners, and diverse communities to solve the world’s leading challenges. The roadmap identified Transdisciplinary Moonshots - opportunities for the CALS community to collaborate on future-focused, cross-disciplinary scientific breakthroughs and to align research, education, and extension programs for greater impact and stronger connectivity. The Moonshot areas build upon core strengths in CALS, spanning the agricultural, life, environmental and social sciences. Position Responsibilities: This position has an effort split of 60% research and 40% extension. Research (60%): The successful candidate will develop an externally funded, innovative research program in precision, mechanization, automation, and physical AI solutions that address agricultural challenges, including current and emerging biotic and abiotic stresses, a changing global climate, and diminishing water, energy, and other farming resources including labor. The program is expected to incorporate the latest advancements in intelligent, AI-enabled machine design, manufacturing, and digital agricultural tools to improve the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of agricultural industries in New York State and beyond. Areas of emphasis include, but are not limited to, smart sensing and crop monitoring systems, advanced AI techniques including federated learning, vision-language-action model, and world modeling, decision support systems, intelligent mechanization, and collaborative robotics for agricultural applications. Extension (40%): The candidate is also expected to build an impactful Extension program that enables translation of research findings and prototypes into practical solutions for specialty crop growers and industry partners, including ag-tech corporations and start-ups — identifying emerging challenges, demonstrating technologies under commercial conditions, and driving adoption through on-farm research, demonstration projects, and educational programming. The extension program will be developed in close partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension and other industry and government partners. The candidate will be expected to bring a clear vision for connecting emerging precision ag, AI, and robotics technologies with farming industries and growers. Candidate Expertise Applicants are expected to have strong skills and experience in one or more of the following areas: intelligent mechanization; AI and data science; remote sensing, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS)-based applications; application technologies; precision pest and disease control; biologically inspired engineering and machine design; automation/robotics and precision agriculture; and human-robot-plant collaboration/interaction. Qualifications: Minimum requirements: A Ph.D. in an appropriate Engineering discipline, with a record of innovative research and peer-reviewed publications in one or more of the areas noted above; excellent English-language communication skills. Preferred qualifications: Postdoctoral research or industry experience; demonstrated experience in grant-writing and obtaining extramural funding; a strong plan for initial research and future research directions; the ability to direct high-level graduate research; and experience working with farmers and other stakeholders to identify stakeholder needs and develop relevant research and extension programs. Applications and Starting Date Please apply by Jan 8, 2027 for full consideration. The anticipated start date for this position is July, 2027 ; or as negotiated. Qualified applicants should submit: Cover letter (maximum 3 pages) Curriculum Vitae Research Statement highlighting experience, interests, and goals in precision and automated agricultural systems (3 page maximum) Statement of Extension Philosophy including outreach and stakeholder engagement experience, interests, and goals (2 page maximum) Copies of no more than 4 relevant publications Unofficial university transcripts List of three references (just names and email addresses; letters will be sought for short-listed candidates) Materials should be submitted online to: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/33237 This is an in-person position based at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY. Relocation assistance may be provided. The successful candidate will be expected to live within commuting distance of Geneva, NY. Relocation assistance may be provided. Consistent with Cornell’s practice, appointments to academic positions require candidates to disclose relevant information about their prior employment including whether they have been found to have violated institutional or employer policies related to or governing unlawful discrimination and harassment, academic and research misconduct, or financial misconduct. We seek a colleague with an outstanding record demonstrating success and promise across all these areas, and who will be supported by and contribute to a vibrant culture of inclusive excellence at Cornell. Learn how CALS fosters an environment where faculty are supported, valued, and empowered to make meaningful contributions throughout their careers. Inquiries may be directed to: Manoj Karkee, Search Committee Chair Norman R. and Sharon R. Scott Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department Email: mk2684@cornell.edu In compliance with New York's Pay Transparency Law, the annual base salary range for this assistant professor position is $90,000 - $135,000. This pay range represents base pay (for 9 months). Cornell University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. Cornell University seeks to meet the needs of dual career couples, has a Dual Career program, and is a member of the Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium to assist with dual career searches including positions available in higher education in the upstate New York area. The new faculty member will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary community on the main campus in Ithaca, New York. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement. Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.