Work Location: LSU Campus, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Position Description: This is a full-time 12-month, tenure-track position with 80% research and 20% teaching appointment focused on computational biology/data science in the Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology. This hire comes at a time when LSU AgCenter and LSU A&M are focusing on strengthening research in data science and precision agriculture and there are many opportunities for collaboration across the university, including the College of Agriculture, College of Science, and the LSU AgCenter’s research stations. The position is open to all areas of biology, but the successful candidate is expected to build a research program around hypothesis-driven research that leverages data science to address problems at the intersection of plant pathology and large-scale data analysis. Desirable candidates are those who can actively develop cutting-edge data science methods in informatics, data mining, machine learning, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistics, large-scale data visualization, and image analysis. Potential areas of research are broad and include evolutionary biology of plant-pathogen interactions, epidemiology, ecology, statistical modeling, computational biology, genomics, structural biology, experimental design, quantitative genetics, or high-throughput phenotyping. The appointee will teach one undergraduate/introductory course in computational biology/data science each year, develop one advanced graduate-level course in an area of expertise to be taught every other year, and serve as a major advisor and on advisory committees for Ph.D. and M.S. students. Obtaining extramural funding from federal and state agencies, commodity (state and national) research boards, and agro-industries to support the research program will be expected.
Qualification Requirements: A Ph.D. in plant pathology, plant biology, data science, computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, statistics, breeding, or related field accompanied by appropriate postdoctoral experience (ABD candidates will be considered). Candidates with a strong proficiency in computer programming and big data management are preferred.
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: March 11, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is identified.
Application Procedure: Apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU (or in Workday for internal applicants) by attaching a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching statement, contact information for 3-5 references, and university transcripts. Please attach application as a single portable document format (PDF). Paper, faxed or e-mailed application materials will not be accepted. Reference letters will be requested at a later date. Questions can be directed to the chair of the search committee:
Dr. Vinson Doyle
Associate Professor
Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology
Phone: 225-578-4052
Email: vdoyle@agcenter.lsu.edu
Website: www.lsuagcenter.com
The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer.
