Postdoctoral Researcher (2-year)

Louisiana State University; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana State University AgCenter is seeking a two-year grant-funded Postdoctoral Researcher to oversee field, greenhouse and laboratory studies on management strategies for the invasive pasture mealybug in sugarcane. The appointment is 2-year, non-tenure track, with a January 1, 2027 start and occasional travel to field sites across Louisiana.

The role requires designing experiments, data analysis, and dissemination of results.

Qualifications

• PhD in Entomology or a related agricultural field.
• Possession of a valid driver's license is required.
• IPM research experience in agricultural settings is desirable.
• Experience researching plant–insect interactions, insecticides, and insect ecology is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee field, greenhouse, and laboratory research on management strategies.
• Design experiments, collect and analyze data.
• Publish and present results.
• Supervise summer field assistants and assist graduate students.
• Conduct toxicological assays, field trials, and remote sensing.

Skills

Driver's license

IPM research

Plant–insect interactions

Insecticides

Insect ecology

Education

PhD in Entomology or related field

Job description

Job Posting Title: Postdoctoral Researcher (2-year)

Position Type: Other

Department: LSUAG PL1 - DE - Entomology (Blake Emerson Wilson (00003618))

Work Location: Life Sciences Building

Pay Grade: Other Academic

Job Description: This is a grant-funded, non-tenure track two-year position through 12/31/28. This is a 2-year, term limited postdoctoral appointment with no expectation of continuation beyond the stated end date.

A two-year, grant-funded post-doctoral researcher is needed to oversee field, greenhouse, and laboratory research activities into management strategies for the invasive pasture mealybug, Heliococcus novovillei, in sugarcane. The position is full-time in the LSU Department of Entomology on the main campus in Baton Rouge, but will require to travel to research field sites in other regions of the state. The tentative start date is January 1, 2027 though earlier starts may be accommodated. The post-doc will be expected to work independently to design experiments, collect and analyze data, and publish and present results. Research activities include toxicological assays, field demonstration trials, and remote sensing. The post-doc will also supervise and instruct summer field assistants and facilitate graduate student research.

Qualification Requirements

• A PhD in Entomology or other agricultural field is required.


• Possession of a valid drivers’ license is required.


• Diverse IPM research experience including work in agricultural research settings is desired.


• Applicants with experience researching plant-insect interactions, insecticides, and insect ecology is preferred.

Salary and Benefits

Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Current 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.

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.

Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process.

Application Deadline: November 30th, 2026 or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Additional Job Description: Competencies: None

Posting Date: September 30, 2026 Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

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]. LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into their daily lives. LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide-range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land-, sea- and space-grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher-scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world-class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.