Assistant Professor - Research (Oat Breeding)

Louisiana State University; Berlin; On-site; EUR 71,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Medical insurance options

Vacation and sick leave

Job summary

Louisiana State University AgCenter in Baton Rouge seeks an Assistant Professor - Research (Oat Breeding) to lead the oat breeding program and manage field trials. The role includes plantings, post-harvest processing, and greenhouse management for the Small Grains group. The position is based at LSU A&M with travel as needed.

The candidate must hold a Ph.D. in crop science, agronomy, or plant breeding, with experience in field equipment and breeding/genetics.

Qualifications

• Required: Ph.D. in crop science, agronomy, plant breeding, or similar.
• Experience managing and running field equipment.
• Research experience in breeding and genetics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage LSU AgCenter oat breeding program.
• Plant and manage field trials and nurseries; greenhouse management.
• Coordinate state small grains variety trials and data analysis.

Skills

Field equipment management

Breeding and genetics research

Oat/Small grains breeding experience

Education

Ph.D. in crop science / agronomy / plant breeding

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Assistant Professor - Research (Oat Breeding)

Position Type:

Faculty

Department:

LSUAG PL1 - SPESS - Plant Environmental and Soil Sciences (Noah Daniel DeWitt (00078798))

Work Location:

0214 Madison B. Sturgis (New Agronomy Bldg)

Pay Grade:

Academic

Job Description:

Work Location: SPESS, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Position Description: This is a non-tenure track position (100 % research) that will function as part of the Small Grains research group. The primary responsibility of this position is leading and managing the LSU AgCenter oat breeding program with a focus on improved forage and dual-used varieties adapted to the Southeast United States. The position holder will additionally participate in the planting and management of field trials, post-harvest accounting and processing, and greenhouse management for the entire research group. The successful candidate will be primarily based out of LSU A&M campus in Baton Rouge, but must be able to spend time traveling for planting and harvest.

Specific tasks will include _ : _

• Note-taking and selection decisions on early-stage oat germplasm lines, note-taking, analyses, and selection decisions on late-stage oat breeding lines.
• Design and analyses of oat germplasm development nurseries and disease and yield trials.
• Assisting with planting, field management, and harvest of all LSU Small Grains trials and nurseries, including management of undergraduate and graduate student workers when necessary.
• Assisting with coordination of the state small grains variety trials, including note-taking on the state oat test, and analyses and initial report preparation of the oat and wheat tests.

Qualification Requirements: Required qualifications include a Ph.D. in crop science, agronomy, plant breeding, or similar. Candidates must have experience with managing and running field equipment, and some degree of research experience in breeding and genetics. Experience specifically with genetics and breeding of oats and/or other small grains is highly desired.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), university holidays (14 per year, typically includes a week off at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

Date Available: Upon completion of the interview process.

Application Deadline: November 7, 2026 or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Additional Job Description:

Competencies:

None

Special Instructions:

Assistant Professor - Research (Oat Breeding)

Posting Date:

October 7, 2026

Additional Position Information:

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some childcare and medical expenses), university holidays (14 per year), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

About the LSU Agricultural Center:

The LSU AgCenter, is one of eight campuses within the broader LSU enterprise (LSU System). The LSU AgCenter includes the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, which conducts agricultural-based research, and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, which extends the knowledge derived from research to the people of the state. The AgCenter is headquartered in Baton Rouge and has 12 “on campus” academic departments and five regions which are made up of 15 branch research stations and an extension office in each parish. For more information, visit the AgCenter’s website at www.lsuagcenter.com.

The LSU Agricultural Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HCM Contact Information:

Questions or concerns can be directed to the LSU AgCenter Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-2258 or emailed [e-mail].