ASSISTANT PROFESSOR - COASTAL AND MARINE SCIENCE/OCEANOGRAPHY

The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) is hiring multiple Assistant Professors in Coastal and Marine Science/Oceanography at the DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie, Louisiana. The positions focus on interdisciplinary research in coastal and marine sciences, utilizing various scientific approaches. This faculty expansion aims to enhance research and education collaborations across Louisiana's universities. Applications will be reviewed starting March 1, 2026, until the positions are filled.
Assistant Professor – Coastal and Marine Science/Oceanography

The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) for research and education seeks to hire multiple Assistant Professors as part of a multi-year faculty expansion. We are interested in hiring interdisciplinary scientists whose research addresses fundamental and applied questions in the coastal, near-shore marine, and oceanographic sciences. We invite qualified candidates within these broad disciplines whose research uses observational, modelling, theoretical, and/or experimental approaches to apply for three (3) open positions based at the DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie, Louisiana. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled, but we will begin reviewing applications on March 1, 2026.

INSTITUTION

LUMCON is a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents serving as a statewide academic and research Consortium representing over 40 universities and colleges across Louisiana. LUMCON’s mission is to promote, facilitate and conduct research and education collaborations among Louisiana’s universities in marine and coastal sciences relevant to the sustainability of coastal and marine environments of the U.S. Gulf Coast.

LUMCON provides unparalleled opportunities in coastal, marine, and oceanographic science and education to the research community and public alike. Anchored by a first-rate marine laboratory, the DeFelice Marine Center, LUMCON is embedded in Louisiana’s dynamic wetland environment and conveniently located on a gateway to the open waters of the Gulf. LUMCON operates a world-class fleet of research vessels unmatched on the US Gulf Coast. In 2023, LUMCON expanded its programs through the opening of a maritime research and outreach facility (Blue Works) on the Maritime Campus in Houma. In 2025, a large boat slip and bulkhead project was completed on the Maritime Campus. We recently held the ground breaking for a new Marine Operations Center that will open in 2027 and a keel-laying for the state’s new flagship, 125-foot RV Pelican II, which will also be delivered in 2027.

FACILITY

The LUMCON DeFelice Marine Center, located at the upper end of Terrebonne Bay in the Mississippi River deltaic plain between the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers, is in close proximity to numerous habitats including extensive marshes, estuaries, large and small rivers, coastal zone management projects, and the open Gulf. The Center facilities include a seawater system, multiple wet labs, racetrack flume, environmental chambers, extensive aquaculture and experimental tank facilities, marsh mesocosm facility, dedicated laboratories for all faculty, and a fleet of research vessels ranging from small boats to a 199-foot regional class research vessel. Blue Works is a new state-of-the-art facility in Houma, Louisiana on our Maritime Campus that provides opportunities for education and research initiatives at the intersection of engineering, technology, industry, and marine science/oceanography. The facility contains research labs, education spaces (including makers labs, fabrication labs, and 3D printing facilities), library, and formal and informal meeting and exhibit spaces. Our research vessel fleet and proximity to the coast facilitate the use of a broad mix of traditional and innovative instruments and observational techniques to make measurements in many settings from open-ocean to coastal regions to trans-Gulf operations.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

We are seeking interdisciplinary scientists whose research addresses fundamental and applied questions in the coastal, near-shore marine, or oceanographic sciences who are interested in developing a world-class research program to apply for these positions. Research subject specialties may include, but are not limited to all disciplines of oceanography, community ecology (e.g., deep-sea, coral, wetland, barrier island), marine geology, marine fisheries, aquaculture, environmental toxicology, microbiology, and organic geochemistry.

Because of the intended connections with on-going LUMCON research programs, proximity to our R/V Acadiana and coastal-class (R/V Pelican and its replacement R/V Pelican II) research vessels, as well as close access to a new regional class research vessel, R/V Gilbert R. Mason, this position will be based at the DeFelice Marine Center (Laboratory) in Cocodrie, Louisiana.

Candidates should have a strong publication record, a history of funded research, and potential for funding their research, as well as a strong commitment to education and outreach and a demonstrated commitment to student and adult education. Preference will be given to candidates who can clearly demonstrate an existing or planned research program that maximizes the locality and research assets, including the DeFelice Marine Center, Blue Works, and research vessels, and complements and extends the strengths of LUMCON and the Consortium. An academic appointment at one or more of LUMCON’s Consortium universities will be required after the incumbent is hired.

Positions carry a competitive 9-month salary with 3 additional months possible from grants, strong benefits and retirement packages, and a start-up budget. A six-year review similar to tenure is conducted for promotion to Associate Professor. However, LUMCON is not a tenure-granting institution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
• Establish a regional, national and internationally recognized research program in the coastal, marine and/or oceanographic sciences
• Develop innovative research ideas relevant to incumbent’s research community
• Attain research funding from state, federal, or private programs by leading or co-leading competitive proposals
• Write and publish papers in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals describing incumbent’s research advancements
• Engage in frequent and effective communications with both scientific audiences (e.g., state, national, international scientific meetings) and the general public
• Mentor undergraduate students (e.g., REU Program) and graduate students as a committee member or chair through one or more of LUMCON’s consortium academic institutions
• Provide leadership in arranging logistics that include, but not limited to, investigator travel, facility usage, vessel operations engagement, grant management, and conflict resolution

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ph.D. in coastal, estuarine, marine, or oceanographic sciences or related field
• Strong publication record
• History of funded research
• Strong commitment to education and outreach
• Legal authority to work in the United States prior to being hired

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Post-doctoral research experience
• Documented leadership in developing a competitive research program
• Experience in mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities.

Contact Information:

Dr. Ken W. Krauss

Professor and Associate Director of Science

kkrauss@lumcon.edu | 337-344-9331

Board of Regents is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports the recruitment, hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer

VACANCY INFORMATION:

This is an unclassified position.

This position is located in Cocodrie, LA.

Applications will be rejected if the applicant fails to meet the minimum qualifications, submits an incomplete application, or fails to apply by the closing date of the announcement.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application listing complete work experience and education.

Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript or any other materials as outlined in the posting to your application if possible.

In compliance with federal law, all individuals hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form (I-9) upon hire.