Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Iowa
Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Iowa City, Ames, and Des Moines, where institutions like the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics anchor the research ecosystem. The most in-demand specialties are biomedical sciences, agricultural biotechnology, and computational biology, reflecting Iowa's deep strengths in health sciences and crop research. Openings range from early-career lab positions to senior fellowships leading independent research programs. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs
Position Title:
Postdoctoral Researcher – Soil and Water Resources
Appointment Type:
Post Doc/Trainee
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at Iowa State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position. The successful candidate will work on a USDA-funded research project evaluating the impacts of land management practices, conservation strategies, and crop improvements on soil and water resources.
The ideal candidate will possess strong verbal and written communication skills and be able to effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders and audiences. The position is a one-year appointment, with the possibility of extension contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued funding availability.
Required Minimum:
PhD degree in Civil Engineering
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated expertise in water resources and ecohydrological modeling.
- Demonstrated research experience in agronomy or related agricultural sciences.
- Strong record of scholarly achievement, including publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Demonstrated ability to present research findings to scientific and professional audiences.
- Experience or interest in communicating scientific results to stakeholders and the general public.
Department/Program & College Description:
The Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, with programs ranked nationally by U.S. News and World Report, has a proud heritage dating back to the founding of Iowa State Agricultural College (later Iowa State University) as a land grant institution in 1869. We’ve seen extraordinary advancement in research and teaching methods since then. Still, we keep a dedication to excellence that has carried from past to present.
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 20, 2026
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
Time Type:
Full time
Pay Grade:
Post Docs
Original Posting Date:
July 8, 2026
Posting Close Date:
July 15, 2026
Job Requisition Number:
R19585
Iowa 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. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
Position Title:
Postdoctoral Researcher – Soil and Water Resources
Appointment Type:
Post Doc/Trainee
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at Iowa State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position. The successful candidate will work on a USDA-funded research project evaluating the impacts of land management practices, conservation strategies, and crop improvements on soil and water resources.
The ideal candidate will possess strong verbal and written communication skills and be able to effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders and audiences. The position is a one-year appointment, with the possibility of extension contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued funding availability.
Required Minimum:
PhD degree in Civil Engineering
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated expertise in water resources and ecohydrological modeling.
- Demonstrated research experience in agronomy or related agricultural sciences.
- Strong record of scholarly achievement, including publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Demonstrated ability to present research findings to scientific and professional audiences.
- Experience or interest in communicating scientific results to stakeholders and the general public.
Department/Program & College Description:
The Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, with programs ranked nationally by U.S. News and World Report, has a proud heritage dating back to the founding of Iowa State Agricultural College (later Iowa State University) as a land grant institution in 1869. We’ve seen extraordinary advancement in research and teaching methods since then. Still, we keep a dedication to excellence that has carried from past to present.
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 20, 2026
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
Time Type:
Full time
Pay Grade:
Post Docs
Original Posting Date:
July 8, 2026
Posting Close Date:
July 15, 2026
Job Requisition Number:
R19585
Iowa 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. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
See All 6 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Iowa
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Find JobsPostdoctoral Research Associate Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
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What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral research associate jobs across Iowa.
- Earned PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a directly relevant scientific discipline
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations in field
- Hands-on laboratory experience with methods specific to the hiring department's research
- Ability to design, conduct, and analyze independent experiments with minimal supervision
- Strong written and oral communication skills for grant writing and research presentations
- Experience collaborating on multidisciplinary research teams or externally funded projects
Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral research associate in Iowa?
Becoming a postdoctoral research associate in Iowa requires a completed doctoral degree in a relevant field, with most positions posted through university research offices at institutions like the University of Iowa or Iowa State University. There is no state-issued license specific to this role. Candidates typically apply directly to faculty principal investigators or department hiring committees, and positions are often tied to active grant funding in areas like biomedical research, agricultural science, or engineering.
Which companies hire postdoctoral research associates in Iowa?
Employers hiring postdoctoral research associates in Iowa right now include Iowa State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's research hiring is heavily driven by its flagship universities and affiliated medical and agricultural research centers, which consistently post openings across the biological, physical, and social sciences.
Which Iowa cities have the most postdoctoral research associate jobs?
Ames are the Iowa cities with the most postdoctoral research associate openings, driven by the concentration of major research universities and teaching hospitals in those areas, with Iowa City anchored by the University of Iowa and its health sciences complex and Ames anchored by Iowa State University's extensive agricultural and engineering research programs.
Are there remote postdoctoral research associate jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Most postdoctoral research associate work is lab-based or requires on-site access to specialized equipment and research teams, making fully remote roles uncommon. About 0% of postdoctoral research associate openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those that do offer flexibility tend to be in computational, data science, or social science research where analysis and writing can be done off-site.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral research associate in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to faculty labs at the University of Iowa or Iowa State University while completing your doctoral program, as many postdoctoral offers are extended to candidates already known through conference networks or collaborative research. Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the University of Iowa's Carver College of Medicine both support new doctoral graduates through structured postdoctoral training programs. Candidates from adjacent roles such as research scientist, laboratory technician, or graduate research assistant gain a meaningful edge by highlighting grant contributions and first-author publications.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across research institutions and employers. Search for roles that match your field and experience level and apply directly to the ones that fit your background.
See All 6 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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