Job Details

Assistant Professor - Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering

Position Number: 6282439
Location: Prosser, WA
Position Type: Engineering - Agricultural

Assistant Professor - Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
July 31, 2025
If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):
270-NN_FACULTY - Assistant Professor

Business Title:
Assistant Professor - Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering

Employee Type:
Faculty

Position Term:
9 Month

Position Details:

OPPORTUNITY:

We have an opening for an Assistant Professor position to join our nationally and internationally recognized Agricultural and Automation Engineering Researchers at the Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS). This is a tenure-track position in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University (WSU). We are seeking a dynamic, motivated, and problem- solving Research Leader in Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering to join an extraordinary team of engineers, scientists, educators and extension experts within the university. This 9-month tenure-track position is located on the Prosser campus of WSU's Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) and will start on January 1, 2026, or as negotiated. The successful candidate will develop a competitive and independent agriculture industry-relevant research program and contribute to teaching, outreach and extension activities to advance the missions of CPAAS, BSE, and CAHNRS.

The successful candidate will provide statewide leadership in agricultural automation and robotics to support the agricultural industry in the region. The candidate will establish a strong connection and collaboration with the industry, ensuring that the research contributes to, and has a positive impact on Washington agriculture. The candidate will be expected to contribute to the training and education of graduate students. The candidate may also develop and offer undergraduate or/and graduate courses based on the needs of the department. The successful applicant will have familiarity working with different cultural and socioeconomic groups, and interest in working with a multi-disciplinary team of faculty and with people from diverse backgrounds. This position will report to the BSE Department Chair and CPAAS Director.

The Department of Biological Systems Engineering aims to discover and apply scientific and engineering principles and methods to the processes of our natural world and provide advanced graduate education to engineering professionals. BSE has an annual research expenditure of about $7.5 million, with about 115 peer-reviewed publications produced each year, and an average faculty research expenditure of $417,000. The number of graduate students range from 60-75 in a given year. Nine of our faculty members are among the 60 most cited researchers at WSU. The four emphasis areas are Agricultural Automation Engineering, Food Engineering, Bioenergy and Bioproducts Engineering, and Land, Air, Water Resources & Environmental Engineering. Agricultural Automation Engineers work to provide engineering solutions to crop production problems in agriculture. From seed to table, our researchers collaborate with the growers, harvesters, food processors and supporting industries to develop new technologies for the economic growth and sustainability of agriculture.

The Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS) on the WSU Prosser campus offers a trans-disciplinary framework for precision/smart agriculture and automation efforts at WSU. CPAAS is housed in a 25,000 sq. ft. building with offices and laboratories, including a machinery systems lab, a robotics and electronics lab, a remote sensing and decision support lab, and a computer vision and automation lab. The building also includes CNC machining, a lathe, a shop space with 5-ton crane to move prototypes across the fabrication area, and a class/meeting room equipped with tele- and video-communication facilities. In 2024, CPAAS established a two-acre apple orchard for technology demonstration, validation and industry engagement. The CPAAS facilities provide the capability to design, fabricate, and test integrated robotic, automated, and precision agriculture related equipment systems. The candidate will have laboratory equipment and research space available at CPAAS.

Washington State's 15 million acres of farmland produce 300 different crops. The state's diverse geography and mesoclimates create an endless variety of growing regions, from the moist hillsides and valleys on the west side of the state to the fertile, rolling plains of eastern Washington. Washington ranks first in the nation for production of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil and sweet cherries, and second in apricots, asparagus, grapes, potatoes and raspberries.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will establish an extramurally funded, nationally recognized program in Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering, to address the needs of the agricultural industry. The program will focus on developing smart, automated, and autonomous agricultural machinery technologies for efficient production management in various crops, especially the perennial, irrigated specialty crops. These smart systems should work in all-weather scenarios, often collaboratively, and should address key labor constraints, machine efficiency, and operational challenges faced by existing systems, and by industry stakeholders during crop production management as well as during harvest. The research program should be developed in collaboration with the industry stakeholders to address the agricultural needs of the region. The stakeholder education efforts should focus on translating technology developed by our own program (CPAAS), as well as that developed by private industry, to the grower stakeholders through the developed research program, extension and outreach activities, and cooperation with our Extension programs.

The candidate should have a background in mechanical engineering and/or mechatronics, and experience in developing AI driven robotic technologies/solutions for use in agriculture. The candidate will write grant proposals to secure extramural funds from state, regional and national sources, private foundations, and/or companies. The candidate may be expected to develop and teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses based on the needs of the department. The candidate will advise graduate students and disseminate research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and at scientific conferences and stakeholder meetings. Other expectations include student mentoring, and service to the center, university, college and department and professional organizations.

Required Qualifications:

Earned Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or closely related field at the time of the hire.
Demonstrated knowledge in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or robotic technologies/solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated research experience and excellence in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, or AI driven robotic technologies/solutions for use in agriculture.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences in oral and written forms.
Record of competitive grant success and project management commensurate with career level.
Knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies applicable to agriculture.
Experience or expressed interest in working with dryland and irrigated agriculture systems.
Demonstrated post-doctoral or industry experience.
Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to work with diverse audiences and stakeholders.
Record of active participation in academic and/or professional organizations.

Additional Information:

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name: Biological Systems Engineering (BSE)
About Department: https://bsyse.wsu.edu/

Location: CPASS, IAREC, Prosser, WA

Annual Salary: $80,000 - $90,000; (9-month appointment); Competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty please review the summary of benefits for WSU Faculty and Total Compensation

Overtime Eligibility: This position is not eligible for overtime.

This is a permanent tenure track position.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

Required Documents:

1) A letter of application that includes a statement of the applicant's qualifications, training, and experience (max. 2 pages).

2) A statement to highlight the vision for the position (max. 2 pages).

3) A complete curriculum vitae.

4) Unofficial transcript(s) of all degree programs.

5) Names and contact information for three professional references.

Screening of Applications will begin on August 1, 2025.

All questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Sindhuja Sankaran (s.sankaran@wsu.edu).

External candidates, upload all documents in the "Application Document" section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the "Resume/Cover Letter" section of your application.

Documents should be submitted as separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

About BSE, IAREC, CAHNRS, WSU, Prosser

THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING: Faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering are committed to improving the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems through research, teaching, and extension. BSE offers Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Biological and Agricultural Engineering with four areas of emphasis: Food Engineering, Bioenergy and Bioproducts Engineering, Agricultural Automation Engineering, and Land, Air, Water Resources & Environmental Engineering. BSE is part of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences; employs 14 full-time faculty members placed at four Washington State locations- Pullman, Tri-Cities, Prosser, and Puyallup. BSE faculty manages the Center for Nonthermal Processing of Food; the Bioproducts, Science, and Engineering Laboratory; and the Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems. On average about 60-75 graduate students are enrolled in PhD and MS degree programs. BSE students actively participate in Graduate Student Clubs including Food Engineering; Agricultural Automation and Engineering; American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; and Biomass Engineering. For more information, visit https://bsyse.wsu.edu.

THE IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTER: The IAREC research and extension facility is located in south central Washington, serving roughly 1.8 million acres of irrigated farmland. IAREC is ten minutes from the city of Prosser, in the middle of the Yakima Valley, one of the most agriculturally diverse regions in the U.S.A. IAREC integrates faculty members from six academic departments from the WSU College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, USDA-ARS scientists and WSDA. It comprises four research farms totaling 900 acres, office, laboratory, and greenhouse space for approximately 15 permanent and 35 temporary university faculty, 60 full-time technical and administrative support staff, about 40 graduate students, and up to 200 undergraduate student interns, assistants, and temporary hourly employees. There are research and extension farms with orchards, vineyards, hops, berries and plenty of space for future endeavors. The Roza farm, only 10 minutes away from CPAAS, has DEMO Smart Orchard and Vineyard Site, heavily outfitted with state-of-the-art plant, soil and environmental sensor technology. And only steps away from the CPAAS building, a new apple orchard was recently established for technology demonstration, validation, and outreach.

THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, HUMAN, AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES: CAHNRS at Washington State University is an expansive and diverse college that includes 13 academic units, three extension program units, four research and extension centers distributed across the state, 13 subject matter centers, and one tribal and 39 county extension offices. CAHNRS fosters disciplines that serve at the interface of scientific discovery and its application to the advancement of society and improvement of human experience. Our mission is to provide global leadership in discovering, accessing, and disseminating knowledge that contributes to producing a safe, abundant food and fiber supply; promotes the well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhances sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; and promotes stewardship of natural resources and ecological systems. CAHNRS personnel embrace the opportunity to fulfill the university's land-grant mission by making groundbreaking research discoveries, by delivering relevant, progressive extension programs that synergistically generate outcomes that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Washington State, as well as for people around the globe. For more information, visit http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY: Founded in 1890, Washington State University is a comprehensive land-grant university with teaching, research, and extension missions, and one of two research universities in Washington State. WSU is organized into 11 academic colleges, the Honors College, and the Graduate School. It has an enrollment of more than 31,000 undergraduate and graduate students on 5 campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett) with approximately 21,000 students located on the main campus in Pullman, WA. WSU ranks among the top 60 public research universities and is a Carnegie I, Doctoral/Research Extensive University. WSU strongly values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and seeks to ensure a welcoming community for all. Further information about WSU can be found at: www.wsu.edu and https://wsu.edu/about/facts.

LIFE IN PROSSER: Prosser offers a friendly, small-town atmosphere with a high quality of life and connected community. Prosser is located in the Yakima Valley with rich agricultural heritage amid modern, irrigated orchards, world-class wineries and vineyards, vegetable and animal farms. About 30 miles west of metropolitan Richland (where the WSU Tri-Cities campus is located), along the Yakima River, Prosser is in the Columbia Basin region, which produces a third of agricultural produce in Washington. The tree fruit produced in this region includes apples, sweet cherries, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots. To learn more about the Prosser community, visit: https://cityofprosser.com/.

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military, veterans, and persons with disabilities. WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the time of hire.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION. In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU's Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both. More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/

Time Type:
Full time

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU's Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/

To apply, visit https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/job/Prosser-WA/Assistant-Professor_R-13526-1

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer.