(This is a grant-funded position through 03/31/2027. Continuation will be dependent on availability of funding, job performance and project requirement)

Work Location: School of Plant, Environmental, & Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Position Description: The School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences seeks a highly motivated candidate for a USDA-NIFA funded project focused on improving the sustainability of rice production. The successful candidate will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying salinity, drought, and heat tolerance in rice and will support the development of high-yielding breeding lines with enhanced resilience to these abiotic stresses. Primary responsibilities include applying bioinformatics and/or molecular biology approaches to identify, prioritize, and characterize candidate genes associated with stress-tolerance traits.

Qualification Requirements: Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, or a related field with strong organizational, written and oral communication, and ability to work in cooperation with other lab members. The candidate should have a strong publication record, demonstrated bioinformatics and molecular biology skills, and experience in analyzing and interpreting next-generation sequencing (NGS) data.

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: April 22, 2026 or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Application Procedure: Apply online at LSU AgCenter Careers (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:

Dr. Prasanta K. Subudhi

School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University AgCenter, 104 MB Sturgis Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Tel : (225) -578-1303 ; Fax : (225) -578-1403

E-mail: psubudhi@agcenter.lsu.edu

Website: www.lsuagcenter.com

The LSU Agricultural Center and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.