Brayden Blanchard

Louisiana State University / LSU AgCenter is advertising an M.S. assistantship in Plant Breeding and Genetics within the Sugarcane Breeding and Quantitative Genetics Lab . The position supports research for the Louisiana Sugarcane Variety Development Program and is a strong fit for students interested in plant breeding, genetics, quantitative genetics, applied statistics, phenotyping, and agricultural data analysis . The research topics may include phenotypic analysis of breeding trials , genotype-by-environment analysis , predictive breeding approaches , high-throughput phenotyping , genomic integration , and pipeline optimization. The thesis project will be shaped by project timelines and the candidate’s skill set. Day-to-day responsibilities can include planting, harvesting, processing samples in the sugarcane laboratory, data collection and entry, data analysis and reporting, and operating laboratory and field equipment. This is a grant-funded assistantship starting on August 1, 2026 . The post does not specify stipend amount, tuition coverage, or other financial details. Admission to the LSU Graduate School and the Master of Science Program in the College of Agriculture, School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences is required. Eligibility highlights include a B.S. degree in agronomy, environmental sciences, plant science, applied statistics, data science, biology, or a closely related field. Preferred experience includes statistical principles, relevant software, precision agriculture, GIS, UAV technologies, and field crop/sugarcane experience. To apply, send a cover letter , CV , and a list of at least three references to the listed email address. The deadline is June 30, 2026 , or until a suitable candidate is identified.