"Assistant Professor - Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering"

We have an opening for an Assistant Professor position to join our nationally and internationally recognized Agricultural and Automation Engineering Researchers at the Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS). This is a tenure-track position in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University (WSU). We are seeking a dynamic, motivated, and problem-solving Research Leader in Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering to join an extraordinary team of engineers, scientists, educators and extension experts within the university. This 9-month tenure-track position is located on the Prosser campus of WSU's Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) and will start on January 1, 2026, or as negotiated.

The successful candidate will develop a competitive and independent agriculture industry-relevant research program and contribute to teaching, outreach and extension activities to advance the missions of CPAAS, BSE, and CAHNRS. The successful candidate will provide statewide leadership in agricultural automation and robotics to support the agricultural industry in the region. The candidate will establish a strong connection and collaboration with the industry, ensuring that the research contributes to, and has a positive impact on Washington agriculture. The candidate will be expected to contribute to the training and education of graduate students. The candidate may also develop and offer undergraduate or/and graduate courses based on the needs of the department.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will establish an extramurally funded, nationally recognized program in Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering, to address the needs of the agricultural industry. The program will focus on developing smart, automated, and autonomous agricultural machinery technologies for efficient production management in various crops, especially the perennial, irrigated specialty crops. These smart systems should work in all-weather scenarios, often collaboratively, and should address key labor constraints, machine efficiency, and operational challenges faced by existing systems, and by industry stakeholders during crop production management as well as during harvest.

The research program should be developed in collaboration with the industry stakeholders to address the agricultural needs of the region. The candidate should have a background in mechanical engineering and/or mechatronics, and experience in developing AI driven robotic technologies/solutions for use in agriculture. The candidate will write grant proposals to secure extramural funds from state, regional and national sources, private foundations, and/or companies. The candidate may be expected to develop and teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses based on the needs of the department. The candidate will advise graduate students and disseminate research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and at scientific conferences and stakeholder meetings.

Required Qualifications: Earned Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or closely related field at the time of the hire. Demonstrated knowledge in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or robotic technologies/solutions.

Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated research experience and excellence in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or AI driven robotic technologies/solutions for use in agriculture. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences in oral and written forms. Record of competitive grant success and project management commensurate with career level. Knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies applicable to agriculture. Experience or expressed interest in working with dryland and irrigated agriculture systems. Demonstrated post-doctoral or industry experience. Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to work with diverse audiences and stakeholders. Record of active participation in academic and/or professional organizations.

Annual Salary: $80,000 - $90,000; (9-month appointment). Location: CPASS, IAREC, Prosser, WA.