AI Robotics Research Scientist (Agricultural Systems) – Ithaca, NY | Visa + Salary Insights

📍 Location: us

🏷 Type: Not specified

Job Intelligence

📍 More in this location:
Browse AI jobs in us

🏷 Similar roles:

🌐 Explore all jobs:
View all AI job listings

Job Overview

The Cornell University Ag Robotics Lab is seeking advanced researchers and collaborators in AI, robotics, and agricultural automation to develop next-generation smart farming systems. This role is best suited for Mid-Level to Senior-Level (2–5+ years) researchers including PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and applied scientists. The ideal candidate will contribute to cutting-edge work in machine vision, autonomous robotics, and precision agriculture systems, focusing on real-world deployment in complex farming environments. Candidates with strong backgrounds in robotics, sensing systems, or AI-driven automation will thrive in this highly interdisciplinary research setting.

🌍 Work Eligibility & Location

This is a fully Onsite research-intensive role at Cornell University. International applicants may be eligible for visa sponsorship, especially for PhD and postdoctoral research pathways. The lab collaborates globally, making it highly accessible for researchers outside the United States who are willing to relocate to Ithaca, NY.

💰 Salary Intelligence

While exact compensation is not published, Cornell University research positions typically follow structured academic stipend systems. For PhD researchers and postdoctoral fellows, compensation is competitive within US academic standards, with additional benefits such as funding support, lab access, and publication opportunities. Senior researchers with grants or fellowships may receive higher compensation depending on project funding.

📊 Role Breakdown

This role focuses on building advanced AI-driven agricultural robotics systems that operate in real-world farming environments. Researchers will work on integrating computer vision, LiDAR, spectral imaging, and robotic manipulation systems to automate complex agricultural tasks such as harvesting, pruning, thinning, and crop monitoring. Approximately 40% of time is dedicated to algorithm development, particularly machine learning models for object detection and localization, while 30% involves robotics integration and hardware testing in field conditions. Another 20% is allocated to experimental validation using agricultural datasets and live farm trials. The remaining 10% focuses on academic writing, publishing, and collaboration with industry and government partners. Core technologies include Python, ROS (Robot Operating System), PyTorch, OpenCV, LiDAR processing systems, and sensor fusion frameworks. This is a deeply interdisciplinary role requiring both theoretical AI expertise and practical robotics deployment experience in agricultural environments.

🧩 Required Skills & Fit

📈 Difficulty & Competitiveness

This is a highly competitive research environment requiring strong publication or project experience in AI robotics systems. Candidates with proven experience in deploying autonomous systems in real-world environments will have a significant advantage.

🚀 Career Impact

This role provides exceptional long-term value in AI robotics research careers. Working at Cornell Ag Robotics Lab positions candidates at the forefront of agricultural automation innovation, opening pathways into elite academia, advanced R&D labs, and high-impact agritech startups globally.

📋 Key Responsibilities

Researchers will design and implement AI-driven robotic systems for agricultural environments. Responsibilities include developing machine vision algorithms for crop detection, building autonomous navigation systems using LiDAR and depth sensors, and integrating robotics hardware for field operations such as harvesting and pruning. Candidates will also conduct field trials, collect and analyze agricultural datasets, and optimize robotic performance under real-world conditions. Additional duties include collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, publishing peer-reviewed research, and contributing to scalable solutions for sustainable farming. Strong emphasis is placed on translating AI research into deployable agricultural technologies that improve efficiency, yield, and environmental sustainability.

🎯 Application Strategy

🧠 Application Optimization (Adaptive)

This section is personalized by seniority.
How to use: Paste into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini

🧠 Fit & Positioning Analysis

Evaluate your match before applying.

📅 Application Signals

This role reflects high urgency in agricultural AI research innovation, with strong global competition from robotics and AI PhD candidates. The demand for autonomous farming systems is rapidly increasing, making this a highly competitive academic position. Early applicants with strong technical portfolios are more likely to be shortlisted due to limited lab capacity and specialized research funding cycles.

🔗 Apply for this Job

Apply on Company Site

✅ Job Source & Verification

This listing is sourced directly from the official Cornell University Ag Robotics Lab website, a high-credibility academic institution known globally for agricultural engineering and robotics research. The information reflects the lab’s current research focus and leadership under Dr. Manoj Karkee. Last updated: 2026, based on publicly available institutional data.