Sumon Datta

Oklahoma State University is recruiting 3 PhD students for Spring 2027 in the Irrigation Research Laboratory led by Dr. Sumon Datta , Assistant Professor and Irrigation Engineer in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. The positions focus on sensor-based, data-driven irrigation management and span several related research directions, including regional evapotranspiration forecasting , sorghum irrigation modeling , and cotton irrigation management . The lab’s work combines field experimentation, crop-water modeling, remote sensing, soil-water balance modeling, sensor data analytics, and decision-support tools for irrigation scheduling and water conservation. Preferred research interests and skills include irrigation engineering , water management , agricultural engineering , machine learning , geospatial analysis , remote sensing , crop modeling , Python, and scientific computing. Experience with fieldwork, sensors, data collection, model calibration/validation, technical writing, and publication is valued. Eligibility highlights: applicants should already hold both a BS and MS degree . A background in agricultural engineering, biosystems engineering, irrigation engineering, or a closely related field is preferred; if the degree is not in engineering, the FE exam must be passed. Preference will be given to students already in the USA . Funding includes a competitive graduate assistantship package with stipend , tuition waiver , and health insurance support , subject to university and project funding policies. To apply, submit one combined PDF with your CV, one-page research interests statement, unofficial BS/MS transcripts, three references, and any relevant writing or research samples. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to apply through the Oklahoma State University Graduate College and BAE. Application timing: Spring 2027 intake . No direct deadline is stated in the post.

Oklahoma State University’s Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering group (IRL BAE) is recruiting a PhD student for a newly funded project in sensor-based district-scale irrigation management for irrigated cotton in Southwest Oklahoma. The research focuses on deploying soil moisture sensors and canopy temperature sensors across the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, working with about 50,000 irrigated cotton acres to answer practical water-management questions: when to start the first irrigation and when to stop the last one. The student will help build a decision-support tool used by the district manager to time water releases. Planned work includes instrumenting working farms, collecting season-long sensor and crop data, running pyfao56 and AquaCropOS , publishing results, and presenting findings directly to producers. The project is strongly applied and field-based, with a mix of agricultural engineering, precision agriculture, water resources, modeling, and data analysis. Funding is described as three years committed with tuition remission , benefits, a 12-month appointment , conference travel, and professional development opportunities in a growing research group. Eligibility highlights: the post asks for a BS+MS in biosystems/agricultural engineering or related fields ; experience with sensors, Python, or GIS is a plus. The post also notes that summers in a cotton field are part of the job. No deadline or application link is provided in the post.

Oklahoma State University’s RISE Lab (Research in Irrigation Scheduling and Engineering), led by Sumon Datta, is hiring a Postdoctoral Scholar for work on regional evapotranspiration (ET) forecasting . The project is funded through NASA and focuses on developing ET forecasting models that will be integrated into the lab’s OASIS tool . This opportunity is especially relevant for researchers with interests in water resources , remote sensing , irrigation scheduling , environmental modeling, and agricultural engineering. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty from three states, suggesting a multi-institutional and interdisciplinary research environment. The position is based at the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering unit at Oklahoma State University. The post states that the role is available to be filled immediately . No deadline, stipend amount, or detailed eligibility criteria are provided in the post. Applicants should apply via the OSU Jobs website using ReqID BF9457 .