PHD Graduate Student
Mississippi State University
About the Role
Mississippi State University is inviting applications for a Ph.D. level Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
- The GRA is a 4-year position.
- Funded with stipends, tuition, and insurance.
- Anticipated start date: Spring 2027 (negotiable).
The successful candidate will work with Dr. Wenbo Liu on original research within the field of aquatic food processing yield, food product diversity, food safety and quality, and to provide solutions to engineering problems encountered in the aquatic food industries.
Potential Research Topics
- Water-jet cutting design for food processing machinery.
- Food production automation design.
The successive candidate will be organized, self-motivated, and has a strong desire to learn new skills and collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct original research broadly within the field of aquatic food processing yield, food product diversity, food safety and quality.
- Provide solutions to engineering problems encountered in the aquatic food industries.
Requirements & Tech Stack
- Proficient in machine design.
- Proficient in programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C++/C, Qt, etc.).
Qualifications
- Students should earn a B.S. or M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Agricultural Engineering, or other fields with relevant research experience.
- A 3.0 or higher GPA.
- Demonstrated excellence in English writing and communication skills.
- Students with non-English credentials must obtain a TOEFL score of 79 iBT or IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.
- GRE may be waived.
- Students proficient in machine design and programming are highly encouraged to apply.