Research Associate Specialist

Louisiana State University

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Work Location: School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences, Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory, 128 Sturgis Hall, Baton Rouge LA, 70803. Position Description: The individual will be expected to perform a variety of duties as a research associate specialist in the Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory. These duties include supervision of student employees; conducting basic science laboratory techniques including preparing, extracting, digesting, washing, and testing of samples; utilizing a laboratory information management system to enter, manage, and report sample data; perform sample analysis using various equipment including but not limited to ICP-OES, C/N analyzers, automatic plant digestion units, discrete analyzers, automatic titrators, and pH robots. This includes the standard operation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation. In addition to laboratory duties, the individual will be expected to answer phones, contact laboratory clients, interact with the general public, and perform any additional duties as required by the laboratory. Qualification Requirements: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in soil science, crop science, agronomy, horticulture, biology, chemistry or related field is required. Preference will be given to applicants that meet the minimum requirements and have prior experience with soil and plant testing procedures as well as advanced instrumentation and software experience. LSU and the AgCenter are dedicated to fostering an environment where our employees feel appreciated for their skills and individual qualifications. If a candidate does not meet the minimum qualifications listed but has other qualifications or substantial experience related to the key responsibilities, we encourage them to apply (La RS 42:36). 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. Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process. Application Deadline: January 20, 2026 or until a suitable candidate is identified. Application Procedure: Apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU (or through Workday for internal applicants) by attaching files containing a letter of application, curriculum vita, official university transcripts, and three letters of reference. Paper, faxed or e-mailed application materials will not be accepted, except that in lieu of attaching the reference letters online, they may be sent directly to: Gregory M. Olson, PhD School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences LSU AgCenter 128 Sturgis Hall Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Phone :[phone] Fax : [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.lsuagcenter.com The LSU Agricultural Center and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment. Additional Job Description: Competencies: None Special Instructions: Research Associate Specialist Posting Date: January 6, 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. Essential Position (Y/N): 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 [email protected]. 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.

Requirements

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in soil science, crop science, agronomy, horticulture, biology, chemistry or related field is required.

Nice To Haves

• Preference will be given to applicants that meet the minimum requirements and have prior experience with soil and plant testing procedures as well as advanced instrumentation and software experience.

Responsibilities

• supervision of student employees
• conducting basic science laboratory techniques including preparing, extracting, digesting, washing, and testing of samples
• utilizing a laboratory information management system to enter, manage, and report sample data
• perform sample analysis using various equipment including but not limited to ICP-OES, C/N analyzers, automatic plant digestion units, discrete analyzers, automatic titrators, and pH robots
• standard operation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation
• answer phones
• contact laboratory clients
• interact with the general public
• perform any additional duties as required by the laboratory

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