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

Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship

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.

Ph.D. Specialization

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.

Research & Extension Responsibilities

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 commercial conditions.
• Supporting SDSU Extension activities, including producer field days, pasture walks, demonstrations, educational materials, and presentations.
• Preparing peer-reviewed manuscripts, Extension publications, conference presentations, and a Ph.D. dissertation.

The research is strongly applied and producer-oriented. Field research will be a significant component during grazing seasons, while coursework, data analysis, GIS, modeling, manuscript preparation, and dissertation development will comprise a greater portion of the academic year. The funded research includes work at SDSU facilities and cooperating livestock operations.

Appointment & Location

Appointment: Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.)

Dates: January 1, 2027 – December 30, 2029

Location: Rapid City, SD; Brookings, SD; or a combination of both, based on the applicant, required coursework, and research needs.

The assistantship provides a graduate stipend and tuition remission/coverage for required coursework. The position does not include health insurance. Research-related travel and project expenses are supported through the research program. The funded project provides three years of graduate student salary.

Advising

The student will be co-advised by Dr. Hector Menendez and Dr. Ryan Lefers.

The student's major advisor and specific Ph.D. program are TBD based on the successful applicant, including their academic background, research interests, coursework requirements, and best fit within SDSU.

Dr. Menendez's program focuses on grazing systems, livestock management, precision livestock research, spatial analysis, modeling, and applied Extension. Dr. Lefers has expertise in agricultural engineering, water resources, entrepreneurship and applied technology development. The funded project identifies both investigators as contributing complementary expertise in livestock water systems and agricultural engineering.

Dr. Hector Menendez: LinkedIn

Dr. Ryan Lefers: LinkedIn

Who Should Apply?

Applicants with backgrounds in animal science, rangeland ecology, natural resources, agricultural engineering, water resources, precision agriculture, agronomy, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Experience with livestock, fabrication, mechanical systems, electronics, GPS/GIS, R/Python, statistics, field research, or Extension is beneficial, but applicants are not expected to arrive knowing all of these areas. Training and mentorship will be provided.

More important is a willingness to build things, learn new skills, work outside, work with cattle and sheep, troubleshoot problems, collect high-quality data, and take ownership of a research project from an idea through field implementation and publication.

Interested applicants should submit a CV/resume, unofficial transcripts, and a brief statement/cover letter describing their research interests, previous experience, career goals, and why a hands-on, applied Ph.D. program interests them.