Work Location: Department of Entomology, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Position Description: Assistant/Associate Professor, twelve-month, tenure track appointment, research (55%), teaching (30%), and extension/outreach (15%) responsibilities. The Department of Entomology at Louisiana State University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Insect Systematics and Biodiversity at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. Candidates with a broad range of taxonomic and research interests will be considered, including (but not limited to) specimen-based revisionary taxonomy and systematics, phylogenomics, biodiversity informatics, and conservation biology. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized, extramurally funded research program that incorporates modern approaches to systematics and the study of biodiversity. Collaboration with existing faculty in the Department of Entomology and integrative biologists in other departments at LSU is expected.

The successful candidate will participate in mentoring graduate students as a member of the Graduate Faculty of Louisiana State University. The incumbent will be required to teach a course in insect taxonomy and systematics, a course in general entomology, and a course in their area of specialty. Outreach and extension responsibilities include diagnostics of current, emerging, and invasive insect pests, and delivery of insect-related information and education via outreach and citizen science.

The successful candidate will serve as the Director of the Louisiana State Arthropod Museum (LSAM) and is expected to contribute to the advancement and preservation of the collection using modern collection management approaches. The LSAM is the principal repository for insects and related arthropods in Louisiana and contains approximately 1,000,000 specimens. In addition, the incumbent will foster and support use of the collection by stakeholders. The incumbent will directly oversee a museum curator and insect diagnostician who will provide support the Director’s goals for the museum.

Qualification Requirements: The applicant must have a Ph.D. degree in entomology or closely related biological discipline at the time of employment and a record of scholarly achievement in areas related to the position such as morphological and molecular (including genomic) character systems, phylogenetic analysis, entomological fieldwork, modern, specimen-based revisionary systematics, or biodiversity. Outstanding oral and written communication skills and the ability to obtain extramural support are necessary.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. LSU 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: April 2024 or upon completion of the selection process.

Application Deadline: January 15, 2024 or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Application Procedure: Apply online at LSU AgCenter Careers (or through Workday for internal applicants) by attaching a package including a curriculum vita, copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and names and addresses of three persons who can be contacted for letters of reference. In addition, applicants should provide 1) a statement describing how diversity would figure into their teaching, research, and extension responsibilities and 2) a letter of application describing abilities, research and teaching interests and experience, and vision for the research, teaching, and service (directorship) components of the position. Paper, faxed, or e-mailed application materials will not be accepted. Direct questions to:

Dr. Jeff Davis
Chair, Search Committee
Department of Entomology
404 Life Sciences Building
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge LA 70803
Email: jeffdavis@agcenter.lsu.edu
Website: AgCenter website

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An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.