WBRZ - Baton Rouge

A scientist fired by LSU will not be getting his job back.

A federal judge refused to immediately reinstate Ivor van Heerden, who was stripped of most of his duties last year.

The judge denied the request for a temporary restraining order, and a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for May 19.

Van Heerden's employment does not officially terminate until mid-May.

Van Heerden sued the university and four administrators alleging that he was fired because he blamed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for problems with New Orleans levees that collapsed after Katrina struck in 2005.

LSU denies the allegations and any other wrongdoing.