Assistant Professor of Environmental Science

The Department of Environmental Sciences of Louisiana State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor with expertise in, but not limited to, aquatic toxicology, toxicology, ecotoxicology, computational toxicology, toxicogenomics, bioremediation, microbiology, or biochemistry. Candidates for this position will be expected to establish a rigorous extramural funded research program and teach courses in the Department of Environmental Sciences. Research and teaching areas could include but are not limited to the effects of natural and anthropogenic chemicals on freshwater and marine aquatic organisms and ecosystems as well as teach existing undergraduate and graduate-level courses in these areas.

Required Qualifications: Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in toxicology, microbiology, chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, or closely related field, and experience working with aquatic organisms. 

Additional Qualifications Desired:  Post-doctoral experience, a strong track record of scholarly publications in highly regarded peer-reviewed journals, a history of securing federal funding to conduct research, and ability to provide quality mentoring and teaching to undergraduate and graduate students.

Responsibilities: Develop and maintain a rigorous, externally funded research program in basic, applied, and/or translational research. (30%) Teach courses applicable to the expertise of the applicant and the needs of the Department of Environmental Sciences. Teaching areas may include, but are not limited to, the effects of natural and anthropogenic chemicals on freshwater and marine aquatic organisms and ecosystems as well as teach existing undergraduate and graduate-level courses in these areas. (30%) Mentor graduate students. (30%) Provide inter‐mural and extramural service to the University as well as external groups. (10%)

About the department: The Louisiana State University Department of Environmental Sciences features experts in many fields, including air, soil, and water quality and monitoring, environmental management, environmental health and bioremediation, environmental and genetic toxicology, environmental law and policy, environmental communication, microbiology, resource sustainability and decision making, geographic information science, remote sensing, and others.  The Department of Environmental Sciences is one of two academic departments within the LSU College of the Coast and Environment.  We offer the only MS and PhD degrees in Environmental Science in the state of Louisiana, and we have graduated over 400 MS and PhD students since 1985.  We also offer a BS in Coastal Environmental Science, which is jointly hosted with the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences. The Department of Environmental Sciences faculty come from a variety of disciplines and are committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service to the community.  Our students also come from different backgrounds and regions around the world. We emphasize an integrative approach to interdisciplinary environmental research and education, and we highly value diversity. The Department of Environmental Sciences is in the Energy Coast and Environment building, one of the newer buildings on the LSU campus. We are located in Baton Rouge, LA, a beautiful and historic city that sits on the Mississippi River in south Louisiana, one hour north of New Orleans.  Louisiana is frequently listed as one of the happiest states in the United States and has had the highest number of cities on the Wall Street Journal's Harvard-based rankings list.  The surrounding Baton Rouge area includes urban, suburban, and rural habitats, all within a 15-minute drive, and the city boasts a rich culture of food, sports, music, collaboration, unity, tolerance, and Mardi Gras parades.

Facilities: LSU is a research extensive university. The College of the Coast and Environment (CC&E) is per capita the most productive academic unit on the LSU campus. Extensive analytical laboratory facilities are available within the CC&E that are fully equipped to conduct environmental chemistry analysis as well as environmental fate studies. Analytical equipment includes solid-phase extraction stations, elevated temperature and pressure extraction equipment for soils, sediments and tissues as well as GC and HPLCs and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometers (ICP-OES) and mercury analyzers. Chromatographic instruments are equipped with single or tandem mass spectrometers as well as flame ionization, photodiode array, evaporative light scattering, conductivity and electrochemical detectors.  Also available are tissue culture and molecular genetic facilities including Real-Time PCR and electrophoretic analyses, liquid nitrogen freezer, a walk-in cool room, several universal and inverted microscopes, laminar flow hoods, and autoclave. The DNA sequencer is located in the LSU Department of Biological Science, and the transmission electron microscope (TEM) at the LSU Shared Instrumentation. Both are open to LSU faculty and staff.

Additional resources on LSU campus include the Biotechnology Center, the Center for Computation & Technology with supercomputer capabilities, Center for Biomedical Research Excellence, and the Genomics Facility (biosci-batzerlab.biology.lsu.edu/Genomics).  For more information, please visit: www.lsu.edu/research/about/centers.php

The Aquaculture Research Station has more than 200 outdoor above-ground fiberglass tanks; a fish hatchery building, a fish holding facility, and a greenhouse for overwintering tropical aquatic species; as well as nearly 12,000 square feet of wet laboratories. These facilities are used for research in nutrition, fish genetics and breeding, water quality and toxicology, and production systems, with a wide variety of tanks, aquaria, and recirculating systems to accommodate research with freshwater and marine finfishes, crustaceans, and mollusks

Application instructions:  Please provide three professional references including name, title, phone and e-mail address.  A cover letter, CV, a Statement of Teaching and Statement of Research must be provided with the application.  A copy of your transcript(s) attached to your application (if available).  However, original transcripts are required prior to hire. 

Appointment is anticipated to begin in August 2021. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  For questions regarding the position, contact the Dr. Vincent Wilson, Search Committee Chair, email: vwilson@lsu.edu

Diversity hire statement:

Our department is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty, and we strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other members of groups underrepresented in science. We seek candidates whose research, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to diversity and inclusion in higher education.

Additional Position Information:

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

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

LSU is committed to diversity and is an equal opportunity / equal access employer.

Questions or concerns can be directed to the LSU Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-8200 or emailed HR@lsu.edu