Apply now for a fully funded Master’s Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) in Digital Agriculture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), USA. Offered through the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, this prestigious opportunity begins Fall 2025 and focuses on cutting-edge digital tools to enhance corn productivity and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).
🌾 Why Study Digital Agriculture at UNL?
The Digital Farming Lab at UNL is a leader in using advanced digital agriculture (DA) technologies to improve crop performance and promote sustainable farming. As a Master’s GRA, you’ll contribute to interdisciplinary research that integrates:
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Crop modeling and production systems
- Remote sensing and vegetation indices
- Big data analytics and field trials
This project is ideal for students passionate about precision agriculture, sustainable crop systems, and digital tools for data-driven farming.
🔬 Research Objectives
The selected graduate student will help design and implement research to:
- Optimize nitrogen management strategies
- Improve corn yields using remote sensing and modeling
- Reduce the environmental impact of fertilizers
- Leverage digital technologies to make farming more efficient
🧪 Graduate Research Assistant Responsibilities
As part of the research team, you will:
- Conduct and manage field experiments
- Use data analytics, spatial analysis, and modeling tools
- Prepare scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Present findings at national and international conferences
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Academic Background:
- Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, or a closely related field
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Technical Skills:
- Hands-on experience with GIS, spatial data analysis
- Knowledge of crop modeling and production systems
- Strong skills in field data collection, analysis, and interpretation
Other Requirements:
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
- Motivation to work in interdisciplinary agricultural research
🌍 International Applicants Welcome
International students are encouraged to apply. English proficiency is required:
- TOEFL: 550 (paper-based) or 79 (internet-based)
- IELTS: Minimum overall band score of 6.5
💰 Financial Support Package
This fully funded Master’s assistantship includes:
- 💵 Stipend: $27,876 per year
- 🎓 Tuition Waiver: Covers up to 12 credit hours per semester and 6–12 credit hours in summer
- 🩺 Health Insurance: Offered at a reduced cost
📅 Start Date & Application Process
- Start Term: Fall 2025
- Review of Applications: Begins immediately
📌 Step 1: Complete the pre-application form: https://go.unl.edu/digitalgra
📌 Step 2: Upon invitation, submit the full application as instructed by the Digital Farming Lab team.
📍 Contact & Additional Information
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
204 Keim Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583-0915, USA
📧 Email: gbalboa2@unl.edu
🔗 Website: https://agronomy.unl.edu