Research Associate Specialist (Entomology)

Louisiana State University

3d • Onsite

About The Position

(This is a grant-funded, non-tenure track position through 03/31/2027. Funding must be available for any continuation of appointment.) Work Location: This position will be housed at the LSU AgCenter Macon Ridge Research Station in Winnsboro, Louisiana. Collaborative work will also be conducted at other LSU AgCenter Research Stations which include: Northeast, Dean Lee, Red River, Ben Hur, Rice, and other locations as necessary. Extension travel to farms within Louisiana and professional meetings may be required. Position Description: The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, planting, and maintaining field research trials in corn, cotton, soybean, and grain sorghum. Responsibilities will include planting and pesticide applications in test plots, other maintenance of field plots, equipment calibration, data collection, and management of transient workers. Operation, maintenance, and repair of many different types of farm machinery specialized for planting, maintaining, and harvesting small plot research trials is required of the candidate. Additional responsibilities include data entry, data analysis, data interpretation, and data reporting. The candidate also will be expected to maintain greenhouse facilities while executing greenhouse experiments. Extensive insect, plant, and yield sampling may be required in some field trials. The candidate will also be responsible for helping maintain research plot records, pesticide applications, and inventory.

Requirements

• The position requires a minimum B.S. in entomology, plant pathology, phytonematology, agronomy, weed science, plant sciences, biological sciences, agribusiness, or a closely related field.
• Advanced computer skills (Outlook Word, PowerPoint, Adobe, database, statistics, etc.) and interpersonal written and oral communication skills are essential.
• The successful candidate must have acceptable organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and skills in operating, maintaining, and repairing farm equipment is preferred.
• Experienced and licensed in applying pesticides according to local guidelines is preferred.
• Farming experience and/or field crop research experience is very desirable.
• Experience growing crop plants in a greenhouse setting is desirable.
• Experience with unmanned aerial vehicles and remote sensing is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designing, planting, and maintaining field research trials in corn, cotton, soybean, and grain sorghum.
• Planting and pesticide applications in test plots
• Maintenance of field plots
• Equipment calibration
• Data collection
• Management of transient workers
• Operation, maintenance, and repair of many different types of farm machinery specialized for planting, maintaining, and harvesting small plot research trials
• Data entry, data analysis, data interpretation, and data reporting
• Maintain greenhouse facilities while executing greenhouse experiments
• Extensive insect, plant, and yield sampling
• Maintaining research plot records, pesticide applications, and inventory

Benefits

• 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
• possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees