Postdoctoral Research Associate – Soil and Plant Microbiomes
Iowa State UniversityAbout the role
Position Title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate – Soil and Plant MicrobiomesAppointment Type:
Post Doc/TraineeJob Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will design, conduct, and manage research on soil and plant root microbiomes using advanced molecular techniques, including Nanopore and Illumina sequencing, microbial cultivation, and nitrogen isotope approaches to quantify microbial and plant nitrogen use.
This position will coordinate field and laboratory sample collection efforts, collaborate with research partners, and supervise and train research assistants to ensure high-quality data and sample integrity. The Postdoc will perform bioinformatic and statistical analyses of microbiome, soil, and plant datasets using tools such as R or Python, integrating findings to interpret biological and ecological relationships.
The role also includes preparing data summaries, reports, manuscripts, and grant materials, as well as presenting research findings to funding agencies and scientific audiences.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Ph. D. in microbiology or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience conducting independent research involving microbial communities, including proficiency in DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, and sequencing using Nanopore and/or Illumina platforms.
Experience cultivating microbes under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, including phenotypic and genotypic characterization.
Experience using bioinformatic tools and pipelines for amplicon sequencing-based microbiome analysis, as well as microbial whole genome assembly and annotation.
Department/Program & College Description:
The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and the Department of Entomology officially merged as of September 1, 2022. The new department is known as the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology (PPEM). The overall mission of the Department is to benefit society through research, teaching, and extension activities that improve pest management and prevent disease. Collectively, the Department consists of about 100 faculty, staff, and students who are engaged in research, teaching, and extension activities that are central to the mission of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Department Unit/Website:
Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
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:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Application/Cover Letter
Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees 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)
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Various voluntary benefits and discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellbeing program
- Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
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.
Proposed Start Date:
July 1, 2026Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work PeriodTime Type:
Full timePay Grade:
Post DocsOriginal Posting Date:
June 15, 2026Posting Close Date:
June 21, 2026Job Requisition Number:
R19377Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vet
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