University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The PhD programme combines advanced coursework, independent research and dissertation work addressing engineering challenges in agricultural production and food systems, with an emphasis on tropical and island environments. Students take core courses in foundational topics and select specialised modules to build a research programme that typically includes laboratory, field and modelling work.

• Core and advanced topics: soil physics and conservation, soil-water-plant relations, irrigation engineering and management, watershed hydrology, transport processes, heat and mass transfer in biological systems.
• Instrumentation and sensing: sensors and control systems for monitoring and automation, remote sensing and spatial analysis, precision agriculture technologies, data acquisition and real-time control.
• Bioprocess and postharvest engineering: postharvest handling and storage, controlled-environment agriculture, thermal processing and drying, packaging and handling systems.
• Modelling and quantitative methods: numerical methods, system and process modelling, optimisation, statistics and experimental design for field and lab studies.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: bioenergy systems, greenhouse engineering, mechanisation and farm machinery, environmental engineering, food engineering, or courses from related departments (soil science, biological engineering, plant science, civil and environmental engineering).
• Research and dissertation: students propose and carry out original research under the supervision of a faculty committee, culminating in a written dissertation and oral defence. Research frequently involves collaboration with CTAHR research stations, extension programmes and regional partners in the Pacific.
• Programme milestones: typical milestones include completion of required coursework, a qualifying or comprehensive exam, submission and defence of a dissertation proposal, regular committee meetings, and final dissertation defence.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant master’s degree (or equivalent) in agricultural engineering, biological/biological systems engineering, civil or environmental engineering, soil science, or a closely related field. Exceptional candidates with a strong bachelor’s degree and relevant research experience may be considered.

• Academic record: a strong academic transcript showing preparation in mathematics, physics, soil and water sciences, or engineering fundamentals.
• Research experience: demonstrated aptitude for research, demonstrated by a master’s thesis, publications, technical reports or significant project work.
• Letters of recommendation: several academic or professional references who can comment on the applicant’s research potential and technical background.
• Statement of purpose: a clear research statement outlining areas of interest, intended faculty supervisors and how the applicant’s background fits the programme’s tropical and systems focus.
• English language proficiency: required for applicants whose first language is not English; acceptable evidence includes recognised English tests or equivalent institutional proof.
• Additional materials: curriculum vitae and, where requested, examples of academic writing or publications. Some applicants may be expected to contact potential faculty advisers before applying.

Career prospects

Graduates in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa pursue a range of careers in research, teaching and applied engineering. They are equipped to work in environments where tropical and island agricultural systems pose distinct technical challenges.

• Academia and research institutions: faculty positions, postdoctoral research and roles in university research centres focused on tropical agriculture, irrigation, or controlled-environment systems.
• Government and public sector: technical and supervisory roles in agencies concerned with water resources, agricultural extension, conservation districts, and regional development programmes in the Pacific and tropics.
• International development and NGOs: project design and implementation, technical advisory roles for sustainable food systems, climate resilience, and small-island agriculture programmes.
• Private sector and industry: product development, engineering leadership and R&D for companies in irrigation, sensors and precision agriculture, postharvest technology, and agri-tech start-ups.
• Consultancy and applied engineering: environmental and agricultural engineering consulting, watershed and irrigation design, postharvest handling systems and feasibility studies for tropical production systems.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Mānoa

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa hosts the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), a centre with explicit strengths in tropical and island agriculture. This PhD programme benefits from unique field sites, long-term research stations and active extension links across the Hawaiian Islands and the Pacific Basin.

• Tropical and island focus: research is grounded in real-world problems of tropical cropping systems, small-island agriculture, and coastal watershed management, offering opportunities not readily available at temperate institutions.
• Research infrastructure: access to specialised facilities and stations for field trials, controlled-environment labs, postharvest testing and irrigation research, enabling multidisciplinary experimental work.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: close ties with departments in engineering, plant and soil sciences, molecular biosciences, and resource economics, plus partnerships with local cooperatives, extension services and Pacific Island institutions.
• Faculty expertise: supervisors with active programmes in soil and water engineering, irrigation and drainage, precision agriculture, mechanisation, postharvest technology and sustainable production systems in tropical settings.
• Regional impact: the programme provides pathways to work on pressing issues such as climate resilience, water conservation, food security and sustainable intensification across Hawai‘i and the Pacific, making research outcomes directly relevant to local communities and policy makers.