Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs in Iowa
Postdoctoral research fellow jobs in Iowa are concentrated at the state's major research universities and health systems, with consistent demand in biomedical sciences, agricultural biotechnology, and computational research. The University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa State University in Ames, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics anchor the bulk of postdoctoral hiring, alongside institutions like Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Candidates with expertise in molecular biology, plant genomics, and data-driven life sciences find the deepest pipelines here. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 7+ Postdoctoral Research Fellow 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 7 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs in Iowa
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Find JobsPostdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow 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 fellow jobs across Iowa.
- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline recently completed
- Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals within the field of study
- Demonstrated expertise in laboratory techniques or computational methods specific to the research area
- Ability to design, execute, and independently manage research projects under faculty mentorship
- Experience with grant writing, data analysis, and scientific reporting for academic or government audiences
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for collaborating across multidisciplinary research teams
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral research fellow in Iowa?
Becoming a postdoctoral research fellow in Iowa requires a completed doctoral degree, typically a Ph.D., in a field aligned with the host laboratory or department. Iowa does not require a state-issued license for this role. Most positions are filled by applying directly to faculty principal investigators at institutions like the University of Iowa or Iowa State University, often through departmental postings or direct contact with research groups whose work matches your dissertation focus.
Which companies hire postdoctoral research fellows in Iowa?
Iowa postdoctoral research fellow roles are posted by Iowa State University and Collins Aerospace and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's concentration of land-grant and health sciences research means most openings sit within university systems, federally funded research centers, and agricultural life sciences companies with deep roots in the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most postdoctoral research fellow jobs?
Ames and Cedar Rapids account for the most postdoctoral research fellow openings in Iowa. Iowa City leads because it hosts the University of Iowa and its academic medical center, while Ames draws heavily from Iowa State University's strengths in agricultural science and engineering, and Des Moines reflects growing demand from health systems and private research organizations expanding in the metro.
Are there remote postdoctoral research fellow jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Postdoctoral research fellow work is largely hands-on, requiring access to laboratory equipment, field sites, or institutional resources that cannot be replicated remotely. About 0% of postdoctoral research fellow openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those tend to be computational, bioinformatics, or data science positions that do not require bench work.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral research fellow in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic path for candidates with limited postdoctoral experience is to apply during the final year of your doctoral program, targeting labs at the University of Iowa or Iowa State University where your dissertation work overlaps with active grants. Both institutions run formal postdoctoral onboarding programs and welcome applications from new graduates. Roles as a research associate or graduate research assistant at Iowa universities serve as strong entry points, and a well-developed publication or preprint demonstrating independent research strengthens any application significantly.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral research fellow jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral research fellow jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the ones that align with your research background and career stage, and apply directly to the positions that fit. No account creation is required to view the listings.
See All 7 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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