Description

The Small Farms and Urban Horticulture lab led by Dr. Shivani Kathi at Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, seeks 1 MS and 1 PhD student to join us as a cohort of National Needs Fellows (NNF), supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), for a research project focused on improving vegetable crop production in open-field and controlled environment production systems. Due to NNF requirements, eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals.
Vegetables are a valuable specialty crop in Oklahoma, but biotic and abiotic stresses threaten plant health, yields, and nutrient quality. This project evaluates sustainable production practices, with the student leading field and controlled environment trials to assess growth, yield, and nutrient content. The position provides opportunities for hands-on research in vegetable production, teaching experience, collaboration with faculty specializing in small farms and urban horticulture, professional development through extension programming, community outreach, conference participation, and publication of research findings. The students will be based at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater campus, for coursework and to conduct research. The anticipated start date is August 2026. The Compensation is $18,500 per year for two years for an MS Student and $24,500 per year for three years for a PhD Student. 

Application Process:

Interested candidates should email the following materials to Dr. Shivani Kathi (Shivani.kathi@okstate.edu):

• Curriculum vitae or résumé
• Contact information for three references
• GRE scores
• Unofficial transcripts
• One-page cover letter describing research interests and career goals

Additional Resources:

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture: https://agriculture.okstate.edu/departments-programs/hla/

Ferguson College of Agriculture:  https://agriculture.okstate.edu/

Oklahoma State University:  https://go.okstate.edu/

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. (for M.S.) and M.S. (for Ph.D.) in horticulture, plant and soil science, agronomy, or a related field
• Strong academic record (minimum GPA 3.0) and ability to meet Oklahoma State University Graduate School admission requirements
• Ability to work in outdoor and laboratory spaces
• Proficient in the Microsoft suite
• Motivation to work both independently and as part of a collaborative research team
• Fulfill eligibility requirements for NNF
• Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research experience
• Work experience in vegetable production
• Experience with statistical analysis
• Strong writing and communication skills