Postdoctoral Research Associate - Ames National Laboratory

Position Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Ames National Laboratory

Appointment Type:

Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Would you like to work for a National Laboratory that conducts world-renowned research? Would you enjoy working on a beautiful university campus? Can you imagine yourself in a mid-sized location that regularly ranks as one of the U.S. Best Places to Live? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider a career with Ames National Laboratory!

Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy federally contracted National Laboratory located in Ames, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa State University. We are dedicated to translating foundational science through applied research to create technological innovations. We create materials, inspire minds to solve problems, and address some of the most challenging issues facing our world today. We promote and believe in a culture of civility and shared ownership in support of the Laboratory's collective success.

The Division of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Ames Laboratory, a Department of Energy National Laboratory affiliated with Iowa State University, is searching for a qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate.

The incumbent will join a collaborative team to combine synthetic magnetosome biogenesis and computationally optimized cobalt-binding peptides to enable efficient and selective cobalt sequestration in both native and synthetic microbial hosts.  The incumbent will generate a rationally designed Pseudomonas alloputida (P. putida) synthetic chassis for magnetosome biosynthesis based on the physiological constraints of cobalt tolerance in waste streams. To achieve that goal, CRISPR interference-seq will be performed to identify essential genes for the optimal physiological states for cobalt tolerance and magnetosome biosynthesis.  Synthetic biology tools will be used to engineer codon-optimized magnetosome biosynthesis genes on a transposon for site-specific chromosomal integration into P. alloputida and potentially other bacterial species.  Assist team members with cultivation and engineering of native magnetosome producing bacteria as well as in the design and expression of cobalt-binding peptides.

This Postdoctoral Research Associate is a one-year appointment with opportunity for renewal.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

 
Ph.D. in Genetics & Genomics, Microbiology, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and CRISPRi-seq technologies, biofilm biology of P. alloputida, synthetic biology strategies, and DNA sequence analysis, including consensus-based bacterial whole genome sequencing, assembly, and annotation.

Experience with cultivating non-model bacterial species.   

Department Unit/Website:

www.ameslab.gov 

Proposed Start Date:

October 15, 2025

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

October 14, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

3) List of Professional References

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Postdocs enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing Program

Original Posting Date:

September 17, 2025

Posting Close Date:

September 23, 2025

Job Requisition Number:

R17815