What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Professor, Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture/Forestry/Natural Systems position at Purdue University?
Job Summary
The Purdue University College of Agriculture seeks applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. This is a full-time (9-months) position with an appointment in research and teaching. The candidate for this position could have a home department in Agronomy, Agricultural & Biological Engineering and/or Forestry & Natural Resources. Within the context of natural, forestry, and/or cropping systems, we are looking for candidates with experience and potential integration of two or more of the following topic areas:
- artificial intelligence (AI) including machine learning (ML), deep learning, knowledge-guided AI, and/or translational applied AI models
- digital agriculture including crop modeling and/or digital twins of assorted scales
- remote-, proximal- and near-proximal- sensing, and/or Internet of Things (IoT)
- data science, geo-spatial analysis, GeoAI, and/or integration of data pipelines
- agroecosystem (crop-soil-environmental) and/or ecosystem modeling
- applications of robotics and/or autonomous systems
Applications of the work could relate to productivity improvement, resource optimization, systems efficiency, and/or operational strategies and logistics. We expect the candidate to build a nationally and internationally recognized research program that advances discovery and innovation across these areas at the intersection of agricultural, environmental, and data sciences. Demonstrated experience and interest in working with multi-disciplinary teams is beneficial. The selected candidate will develop and teach undergraduate and/or graduate level courses. Course modality is generally in person. The potential may exist for teaching online/distance courses during the academic year.
The College
The College of Agriculture is one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences. The College is ranked third in the U.S. and sixth in the world in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College has 10 academic departments, 294 faculty, 2842 undergraduate students, and 694 graduate students.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a Ph.D. degree in forestry and natural resources, agronomy, soil science, agricultural and biological engineering, or a related discipline at the start of appointment. A record of research excellence and productivity commensurate with rank is required as well as demonstrated record or potential of interdisciplinary collaboration and impactful scholarship. Applicants must have demonstrated commitment to teaching and student mentorship. Ideal qualifications would include cross-discipline training among degrees earned with at least one degree in an agricultural or natural resources field.
Application Process
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, CV, research statement, teaching statement, and contact information for at least three references. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Applications should be submitted at: https://careers.purdue.edu/job/Assistant-Professor,-Artificial-Intelligence-for-AgricultureForestryNatural-Systems/44262-en_US/ . Application materials must be combined into a single pdf and submitted electronically in the CV field on the application site. Contact Ignacio Ciampitti ( iciampit@purdue.edu ) if questions. A background check is required for employment in this position.
Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, Sick Leave, Professional Development