RESEARCH TECHNICIAN (PART-TIME)

The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) is a distinguished academic and research institution affiliated with the Louisiana Board of Regents. LUMCON serves as a statewide consortium representing over 40 universities and colleges across Louisiana, focusing on marine and coastal sciences critical to the sustainability of coastal and marine environments along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Anchored by the state-of-the-art DeFelice Marine Center, LUMCON offers unparalleled opportunities for scientific research and education in the dynamic wetland and marine ecosystems of Louisiana. The institution also operates a world-class fleet of research vessels, which are unmatched anywhere along the Gulf Coast, providing exceptional resources for extensive marine research.

In addition to its flagship marine laboratory, LUMCON has expanded its presence with the establishment of a maritime research and outreach facility, Blue Works, located on the Maritime Campus in Houma. Recent infrastructure enhancements include a new large boat slip and bulkhead project completed in 2025, and ongoing developments such as a Marine Operations Center and the state-of-the-art 125-foot R/V Pelican II research vessel, both expected to be operational by 2027. These advancements position LUMCON as a centerpiece for marine research and education, fostering innovation and collaboration across academic and research communities.

The position offered is a part-time research technician role within the Wetland Ecophysiology Laboratory at LUMCON. This role supports an interdisciplinary research team engaged in a coastal swamp forest physiological ecology and eco-hydrology project, collaborating closely with Louisiana State University’s School of Renewable Natural Resources. The position is 0.75 Full Time Equivalent (FTE), offering a salary of $38,250 annually, based at the DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie, LA (mailing address Chauvin, LA). Candidates should expect up to 60% of their work time at LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge, fostering collaboration with the Nyman Lab.

The research technician will contribute to understanding how ecosystem carbon and water cycles interrelate within coastal swamp forests and estuaries, studying the impacts of environmental stress on forest physiology and structure. This will include the use of advanced field equipment, such as infrared gas analyzers, porometers, leaf area meters, and sap flow probes, vital for measuring carbon and water cycling in wetland environments. The laboratory’s work is internationally scoped and focuses on innovative, financially feasible methods to measure ecosystem functions to support environmental restoration and conservation efforts. Mentorship opportunities for undergraduate students involved in REU and STEM Prep programs during summer months are also part of the technician’s responsibilities.

Applicants should be highly motivated, organized, enthusiastic, and academically curious about coastal ecosystem research. The technician will perform essential duties involving both field and laboratory tasks, data management, project logistics, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications. The role requires an ability to work collaboratively within a team of principal investigators, postdocs, graduate, undergraduate students, and fellow technicians. A capacity to operate in physically demanding environments such as hot and swampy field locations is essential.

This unclassified position is part-time and requires candidates to submit a cover letter and resume or CV with their application. The Louisiana Board of Regents promotes equal employment opportunities and is committed to building a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are merit-based, free of discrimination. Benefits for unclassified employees vary depending on the hiring authority. Hiring candidates must verify their eligibility to work in the United States and comply with employment verification requirements upon hire.