University of Florida · B-SAIL Laboratory
Build intelligent robots for agriculture and biological systems.
Join a multidisciplinary research team working at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, sensing, and digital twins.
Contact Professor LiFunded Ph.D. Opportunities
B-SAIL expects to recruit Ph.D. students for the research directions below. We seek motivated researchers who enjoy building complete systems, testing them in realistic environments, and translating new ideas into practical agricultural technologies.
Agricultural Robotics and Specialty-Crop Automation
Robotic harvesting, manipulation in unstructured environments, perception under occlusion, motion planning, end-effector development, and field-system integration, with current applications in blueberries and other high-value crops.
Digital Twins and Controlled-Environment Agriculture
Mobile imaging, IoT sensing, autonomous data collection, hybrid physics–AI modeling, and digital twins for container farming and other controlled-environment production systems.
Precision Robotic Pollination
Robotic pollination for vanilla production, including flower detection and localization, visual servoing, manipulation, motion planning, and integrated-system evaluation.
AI, 3D Vision, and Remote Sensing
3D plant reconstruction, multimodal phenotyping, fruit and flower mapping, machine-harvestability assessment, postharvest sorting, and remote sensing for water-quality monitoring.
Specific openings and start dates depend on project needs, funding availability, admission, and University of Florida eligibility requirements.
Who Should Apply?
Strong applicants typically hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in agricultural and biological engineering, robotics, mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, computer science, automation, or a related field.
Applicants are not expected to have experience in every area. We value strong fundamentals, research potential, initiative, persistence, clear communication, and evidence of the ability to complete challenging technical work.
Relevant experience may include
- Robotics, mechatronics, embedded systems, or control
- Computer vision, machine learning, or deep learning
- ROS/ROS 2, Isaac Sim, Gazebo, or related simulation tools
- 3D perception, point clouds, SLAM, or sensor fusion
- Robot manipulation, motion planning, or navigation
- Python and/or C++
- Hardware integration and experimental research
- Scientific writing and publication
How to Apply
Email Professor Changying “Charlie” Li at cli2@ufl.edu using this subject line:
Prospective Ph.D. Student – [Research Area] – [Your Name]
Please combine the following materials into one PDF when possible:
- Curriculum vitae
- Unofficial transcripts
- A one-page statement describing your research experience, technical skills, interests, and fit with B-SAIL
- Selected publications, thesis, project portfolio, GitHub repository, or demonstration videos, if available
- Your preferred starting semester and intended UF graduate program
Identify one or two B-SAIL research areas that interest you and explain specifically how your experience prepares you to contribute. Generic inquiries may not receive a response.
Admission and financial support are subject to University of Florida policies, formal admission to an appropriate graduate program, and the availability of research funding.
Undergraduate and Master’s Research
Motivated UF undergraduate and master’s students from ABE, AOM, ECE, MAE, CISE, and related programs are encouraged to inquire about research projects, independent study, thesis opportunities, and preparation for future Ph.D. study. Include your résumé, transcript, technical interests, weekly availability, and the skills you hope to develop.