Coastal, Marine, and Oceanographic Science Faculty Positions (Assistant/Associate Professor)

The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) for research and education (https://lumcon.edu) seeks to hire at least three (3) additional Assistant/Associate Professors as part of a multi-year faculty expansion. Faculty will be 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 October 16, 2026.

Assistant/Associate Professor

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, organismal biology, environmental toxicology, microbiology, organic geochemistry, and/or social and human-dimensions science. We also welcome candidates with a strong marine engineering expertise to apply to these positions, particularly those whose research focuses on the development and application of innovative technologies for observing and monitoring marine and coastal systems, including but not limited to marine robotics and autonomous systems, remote sensing, underwater acoustics, and other emerging ocean technologies. 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.

Positions for Assistant Professor carry a competitive salary of $76,500 for 9-mos for entry-level appointments, with 3 additional months possible from grants ($102,000 for 12-mos), strong benefits and retirement packages, and a start-up budget. If selected as an Associate Professor, starting salary will be adjusted accordingly. A six-year review similar to tenure is conducted for promotion to Associate Professor, and separately for Full Professor. However, LUMCON is not a tenure-granting institution.

Minimum Qualifications (Assistant Professor)

• Ph.D. in coastal, estuarine, marine, oceanographic, or engineering sciences, or related field
• Strong publication record and history of funded research
• Strong commitment to education and outreach

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-doctoral research experience with documented leadership in developing a competitive research program
• Experience in mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students

Minimum Qualifications (Associate Professor)

• Meet all minimum and preferred qualifications for Assistant Professor
• Considered an established expert in incumbent’s field of study, with outstanding publication record, including in high-profile journals
• Possess a consistent record of attaining competitive funding
• Must already be an Associate Professor or higher rank (or equivalent) at an accredited institution of higher education prior to October 16, 2026

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
• Contribute to LUMCON’s courses (undergraduate/graduate)
• 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 are not limited to, investigator travel, facility usage, vessel operations engagement, grant management, and conflict resolution

Facility

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 relevant to the sustainability of coastal and marine environments of the U.S. Gulf Coast. 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, dedicated laboratories for all faculty, and a fleet of research vessels ranging from small boats to large oceanographic vessels. In 2023, LUMCON expanded its programs through the opening of a maritime research and outreach facility (Blue Works) on the Maritime Campus in Houma. Blue Works provides opportunities for education and research initiatives at the intersection of engineering, technology, industry, and marine science/oceanography. The facility contains research labs, LUMCON’s natural history collections, education spaces (including makers labs, fabrication labs, and 3D printing facilities), library, and formal and informal meeting and exhibit spaces. In 2025, a large boat slip and bulkhead project was completed on the Maritime Campus, and is currently undergoing additional expansion. Our new Marine Operations Center will open in 2027 and the state’s new flagship, 125-foot RV Pelican II, will also be delivered in 2027. Faculty will have access to a new NSF-owned regional class research vessel under construction, 199-foot R/V Gilbert R. Mason (2028 delivery). 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.

How to Apply

Submit electronic copies of, 1) a letter of interest; 2) curriculum vita; 3) research statement; 4) a statement on your education and outreach activities/philosophy with examples that illustrate your work in recruiting STEM students; 5) a statement of how your research program would use the location of LUMCON’s DeFelice Marine Center and its assets, develop collaborations with faculty at Marine Center, Blue Works, and Consortium member universities, and collaboratively utilize the resources of the Consortium member universities, and if applicable, a statement of aspirations for establishing new sea-going programs (if applicable); and 6) the name, affiliation, address, phone and email address of three (3) references to Dr. Ken W. Krauss ([email protected]), Professor and Associate Director of Science, with the subject line “LUMCON Faculty Application”.

All applications received by October 16, 2026 will receive full consideration. Review will continue until the positions are filled.

LUMCON is an AA/EO employer.