Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship in Grazing Water Technology, Livestock Systems & Applied Rangeland Research

Grazing Water Technology, Livestock Systems & Applied Rangeland Research South Dakota State University | January 1, 2027 - December 30, 2029

South Dakota State University (SDSU) is seeking a motivated, hands-on Ph.D. student interested in applied research at the intersection of agriculture engineering, grazing systems, livestock management, water resources, rangeland ecology, and precision agriculture
.

This is a three-year Graduate Research Assistantship beginning January 1, 2027
, and ending December 30, 2029
, with the possibility of extension as needed.

The student will participate in a multi-year research and Extension program examining how water resources and grazing management influence livestock distribution, forage utilization, rangeland condition, and producer decision-making. Research will combine applied on-farm studies with controlled, smaller-scale trials at SDSU research facilities
. The underlying funded research includes livestock water system design and maintenance, livestock movement and spatial analysis, rangeland assessment, forage utilization, vegetation measurements, water-use monitoring, and producer-focused Extension activities.

The student will become an expert in grazing water technology for cattle and sheep
, with opportunities to further specialize in areas such as livestock-water interactions, grazing distribution, rangeland management, precision livestock systems, spatial/GIS analysis, and/or agricultural water-resource engineering.

The Ph.D. is intended to combine biological and rangeland science with practical technology development and innovation
. The student will learn not only how to evaluate grazing and water systems scientifically, but also how to design, build, deploy, troubleshoot, and improve technologies used in real livestock production systems.

This is not a desk-only research position
. A major component of the Ph.D. will involve hands-on development and evaluation of proprietary SDSU technology
.

The successful student will be expected to participate in building, assembling, constructing, modifying, troubleshooting, field-testing, and iteratively improving prototype systems alongside the advising team. The funded research program includes construction and field deployment of modular systems from commercially available mechanical, electrical, monitoring, and fabrication components.

Applicants should be comfortable with hands-on engineering, fabrication, construction, and prototype development. Prior experience building, fabricating, or assembling mechanical/electrical systems is preferred; however, a strong willingness to learn and develop these skills is essential.

The student will develop an independent dissertation research program within the broader project while participating in collaborative research and Extension activities. Responsibilities are expected to include:

• Design and implementation of grazing and water-resource research trials.
• Construction, modification, troubleshooting, and field testing of research prototypes.
• Conducting applied research on cooperating ranches and at SDSU research facilities.
• Working directly with cattle and sheep and their production systems.
• Collection and management of livestock movement, grazing distribution, water-use, forage, vegetation, soil, and rangeland monitoring data.
• GPS/GIS and spatial analysis of livestock distribution and pasture utilization.
• Statistical analysis, data visualization, and development of reproducible research workflows.
• Seasonal field sampling, including forage utilization, vegetation composition, ground cover, and related rangeland measurements.
• Working directly with livestock producers to identify management goals and evaluate research outcomes under…