Postdoctoral Research Associate
Listed on 2026-08-05
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Engineering
Robotics -
Research/Development
Robotics
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Texas A&M Agri Life Research – Dallas Center is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Engineering Lab as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The candidate will primarily work in one or more of the following areas: computer vision, AI-driven automation, and/or robotics for greenhouses and vertical farming systems. The successful candidate will focus on robot hardware development, automation system design, machine vision, and intelligent control, supported by physics-based simulation and AI-enabled methods.
The position involves hands-on work with robotic platforms, sensors, actuators, and embedded systems, as well as system-level testing and deployment. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Design, build, and integrate robotic and automated systems, including end-effectors, manipulators, and sensor-actuator networks.
- Lead mechanical, electrical, and mechatronic design activities, including CAD design, prototyping, fabrication, and system assembly.
- Integrate sensors and embedded hardware (e.g., cameras, depth sensors, environmental sensors, motor drivers, microcontrollers) into robotic platforms and automated systems.
- Implement AI approaches for crop sensing, growth analysis, stress monitoring, and interpreting plant-environment interactions for intelligent climate control.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to design and execute research studies, perform data collection and analysis, and contribute to high-impact publications.
- Present research findings through presentations at scientific conferences and stakeholder meetings.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Agricultural, Biosystems, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Strong background in robotics, automation, and mechatronic systems.
- Demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed publications in areas such as robotics, automation, and/or embedded control systems, particularly with applications in agriculture systems.
- Ability to multi-task and work co-operatively with others.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hands-on experience with robotic hardware, including mobile robots, robotic arms, and automated systems.
- Proficiency in mechanical design and prototyping (CAD, fabrication, rapid prototyping).
- Experience with embedded systems, motor control, and sensor integration.
- Proficiency in ROS/ROS2, Gazebo, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, or Unity for simulation and deployment.
Salary:
Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate's qualifications.
Applicant Instructions:
Applications received by Texas A&M Agri Life must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a Linked In profile to prepopulate the online application.
Why Work at Texas A&M Agri Life?
When you choose to work for Texas A&M Agri Life, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.
In addition, Texas A&M Agri Life offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:
- Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M Agri Life contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
- 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
- Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
- Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
- Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M Agri Life
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
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