Michigan State University is offering exciting Graduate Research Opportunities (PhD and MS) in the field of Biosystems Engineering, starting in Summer or Fall 2026. Under the supervision of Dr. Xufei Yang, Associate Professor, students can engage in cutting-edge research in two main areas: greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and drone-based water quality monitoring. The first position focuses on monitoring and process-based modeling of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural systems. Candidates with experience in air quality, environmental monitoring, or instrumentation are preferred. The second position centers on drone-based water quality monitoring, utilizing drone sensing, machine vision, and gas-sensor arrays. Applicants with backgrounds in remote sensing, sensing technology, or machine learning are encouraged to apply. Engineering degrees are strongly preferred for both positions, though non-engineering applicants may be considered if they are willing to complete necessary prerequisites. The program offers a 50% Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), which includes a tuition waiver and health insurance, providing substantial financial support for selected candidates. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Xufei Yang at [email protected] for more information or to express their interest. This is an excellent opportunity for students passionate about environmental science, agriculture, and the application of advanced sensing and modeling technologies in real-world contexts. Michigan State University provides a vibrant research environment and strong support for graduate students in biosystems engineering.

Professor Xufei Yang at Michigan State University is recruiting two graduate students (PhD or MS) to join his research group in the Biosystems Engineering graduate program, starting in Summer or Fall 2026. The positions are supported by a 50% Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), which includes health insurance and a tuition waiver. The research group focuses on innovative topics at the intersection of agriculture, environmental science, and engineering. Position 1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture This student will work on monitoring and process-based modeling of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural sources. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in air quality, environmental monitoring, or instrumentation. The research aims to advance understanding and mitigation of agricultural impacts on the environment. Position 2: Drone-Based Water Quality Monitoring This student will develop a drone-based monitoring system that integrates machine vision and gas-sensor-array–based olfaction to identify surface water quality anomalies. Candidates with experience in drone-based remote sensing, sensing technologies, or multimodal machine learning are highly encouraged to apply. This project combines environmental monitoring with advanced sensing and data analysis techniques. Applicants should have a prior engineering degree. Those without an engineering background may need to complete prerequisite coursework as specified by the program. The research group values interdisciplinary skills and a strong interest in environmental and agricultural challenges. Funding includes a 50% GRA, health insurance, and tuition waiver. The application window is for Summer or Fall 2026. Interested students should contact Professor Xufei Yang for more information or to discuss their fit for the positions.