Luis Avila

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The Weed Science Research Group at Mississippi State University is offering a PhD opportunity focused on the intersection of machine learning, agriculture, and geospatial analytics. The successful candidate will collaborate with Dr. Luis Avila at Mississippi State University and Dr. Muthukumar Bagavathiannan at Texas A&M University. The research will address real-world agricultural challenges using AI-driven solutions, particularly in UAV-based weed detection, classification, and herbicide application optimization. Applicants should have a background in Agronomy, Crop Science, Agricultural Engineering, Precision Agriculture, or a related field, with strong coding skills in Python and a solid quantitative/statistical foundation. Preferred qualifications include experience with machine learning frameworks, geospatial tools, remote sensing or UAV imagery, and knowledge of crop production or weed science systems. The position provides a multidisciplinary research environment, strong industry and stakeholder engagement, opportunities for high-impact publications, and advanced training in AI applications for agriculture. The research group is committed to advancing the use of technology in agricultural systems, with a focus on practical, impactful outcomes. Applications must be submitted through the official application link. Direct messages or emails with application materials will not be considered. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates passionate about applying AI and machine learning to solve agricultural problems and contribute to innovative research in the field.

PhD opportunity at Mississippi State University in the Weed Science Research Group for a project on the environmental fate of herbicides in agricultural systems. The research will examine how herbicides persist, move, and transform under field and controlled conditions, with emphasis on herbicide sorption/desorption in soils , degradation kinetics (biotic and abiotic), and transport processes such as leaching, volatility, and runoff. The position includes both laboratory and field-scale experimentation and is well suited to students interested in agriculture , environmental science , chemistry , soil science , and related quantitative research. Required background: a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry, Crop Science, or a related field; coursework in organic and analytical chemistry; coursework in soil science (soil chemistry and preferably soil physics); strong quantitative/statistical skills; and willingness to conduct both lab and field research. Preferred experience includes HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC, herbicide residue analysis, soil–chemical interactions, experimental design, data analysis using R or SAS, environmental risk assessment, scientific writing, and the ability to work independently on long-term experiments. Funding is a full graduate research assistantship for three years with a competitive stipend, tuition waiver , and health insurance . Start date is Spring or Fall 2027 . Applicants should prepare a CV, unofficial transcripts, a one-page statement of research interests, and contact details for three references, then submit everything through the application link provided. Do not send materials by email or LinkedIn message.