University of Florida | Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Ph.D. Assistantship: AI-Driven Soil Dynamics Modeling and Climate Change Impact Assessment
Position description
Dr. Tziolas and Dr. Zhao’s labs at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida
(UF/IFAS) are seeking a fully funded Ph.D. position available through a USDA NRCS project. The selected PhD
student will be engaged in innovative research at the intersection of soil science and Artificial Intelligence (AI),
with a primary focus on developing and applying novel AI methods to model soil dynamic properties (DSPs)
over time. The research will be embedded within a broader effort to enhance our understanding of how soils
evolve in response to climate change and land-use practices, using Earth Observation data, with a specific focus
on Florida as the primary region of interest. The candidate is expected to disseminate research findings at
relevant scientific conferences and symposiums, as well as through peer-reviewed journal articles. This position
will involve collaboration between Dr. Tziolas and Dr. Zhao, integrating expertise from both faculties.
Required Qualifications
▪ Relevant Master’s degree (e.g., computer science, agricultural engineering, remote sensing, soil sciences,
geography, or closely related fields);
▪ Good programming skills (e.g., Python and/or R);
▪ Excellent problem-solving skills and a passion for environmental research;
▪ Ability to adapt to new technologies and learn new tools;
▪ Good English verbal and written skills are required, (non-native English speakers please check for
TOEFL/IELTS requirements).
Preferred Qualifications
▪ Experience in cloud computing, analysing Earth Observation data, and geospatial modelling.
Application process information
Interested candidates are required to contact Dr. Nikos Tziolas at (
[email protected]) and Dr. Chang Zhao at
(
[email protected]). Applicants should provide a cover letter outlining their research interests and experiences
(1 page), a curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references (no letters required). Please use the
email title "Inquiry about PhD AI and DSPs." The review of applications starts immediately and will continue
until the position is filled. The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. The selected candidate is required to
submit a formal application to the University of Florida Graduate Program.
About Us:
The PhD student will join the Soil Science Artificial Intelligence laboratory led by Dr. Tziolas and co-mentored
by Dr. Zhao.
Dr. Tziolas is an assistant professor in the Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department at UF/IFAS, where
he leads the Soil Science Artificial Intelligence Research and Extension Program. He holds a Ph.D. in Geoscience
AI with a focus on soil monitoring from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and an MSc in Geo-Information
from Wageningen University. His research expertise includes spectroscopy, remote sensing, and the application
An Equal Opportunity Institution
of machine learning in geosciences. Dr. Tziolas’s current work involves leveraging advanced algorithms, such
as convolutional neural networks and hybrid transformer-based frameworks, to improve large-scale digital soil
mapping applicaitonsand integrate Earth observation data for comprehensive soil property assessments across
varied landscapes.
Dr. Zhao is an assistant professor leading the Geospatial Artificial Intelligence and Ecosystem Services Lab in
the Agronomy Department at UF/IFAS. She is affiliated with the School of Natural Resources and Environment,
the Department of Geography, and the AI2 Center. She earned her Ph.D. in Geography from the University of
Iowa in 2018 and her B.E. in Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering from Wuhan University in 2012. Dr. Zhao's
research expertise includes ecosystem services assessments, urban and landscape ecology, human-environment
interactions, geographic information science, and remote sensing. Her current research focuses on using
geospatial AI to predict and map nature's contributions to people, such as carbon storage and sequestration
across managed/natural and rural/urban landscapes.
Background information
The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all
academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students. UF is a member of the
Association of American Universities. According to the 2024 U.S. News and World Report, the University of
Florida tied for 28th best overall among national universities and tied for 6th overall for public university in the
United States. In addition, agricultural sciences at UF/IFAS are ranked as No. 4 in the U.S. and No. 18 in the
world. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) includes the College of Agricultural and Life
Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of
Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments
and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research
sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension
Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural
and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans:
the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida
Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment
Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Recently, the University of Florida launched a $1 billion initiative to establish itself as one of the country’s most
preeminent institutions of higher education in artificial intelligence. In 2021, the University of Florida
announced a $70 million artificial intelligence partnership with NVIDIA, the partnership will be central to
University of Florida’s vision to be a national leader in the application of AI, including an expansive plan to
elevate its reach and impact in research, teaching, and economic development. UF/IFAS researchers continue to
lead the development of AI technologies for agriculture and natural resources. A planned 19,000-square-foot AI
hub at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center will serve as a world-class research, extension, and
development facility.
An Equal Opportunity Institution
