Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Iowa
Postdoctoral Researcher jobs in Iowa are concentrated in the life sciences, agricultural biotechnology, and biomedical research sectors, with demand anchored by the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Iowa City and Ames are the primary hiring centers, with smaller activity in Des Moines tied to applied health and industry partnerships. The most sought-after specialties include crop genomics, infectious disease research, and computational biology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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 Researcher Jobs in Iowa
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Find Postdoctoral Researcher JobsPostdoctoral Researcher Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Researcher Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
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What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral researcher jobs across Iowa.
- PhD in a relevant field completed before the start date is required
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication in a relevant discipline
- Experience with laboratory techniques specific to the position's research focus
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant and manuscript preparation
- Ability to work independently and collaborate within a principal investigator's lab
- Proficiency with data analysis software such as R, Python, MATLAB, or SPSS
Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral researcher in Iowa?
Becoming a postdoctoral researcher in Iowa requires completing a doctoral degree, typically a PhD, in the relevant discipline before the appointment begins. Iowa does not require a state-issued license for research roles, so the path runs through direct application to university departments or research institutes. Most positions at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa are posted through each institution's academic hiring system, and candidates are expected to contact faculty labs directly with a cover letter and research statement.
Which companies hire postdoctoral researchers in Iowa?
Employers hiring postdoctoral researchers in Iowa right now include Iowa State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's research employment is anchored by its public research universities and affiliated medical and agricultural institutes, which consistently generate the largest share of postdoctoral openings statewide.
Which Iowa cities have the most postdoctoral researcher jobs?
Ames are the Iowa cities with the most postdoctoral researcher openings. Iowa City leads because of the University of Iowa and its affiliated health system and research centers, while Ames draws heavily from Iowa State University's strength in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and engineering, making both cities the dominant nodes in Iowa's academic research labor market.
Are there remote postdoctoral researcher jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Most postdoctoral research roles require physical presence in a lab, clinical facility, or field setting, making fully remote arrangements uncommon by nature. About 0% of postdoctoral researcher openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those that are tend to involve computational, bioinformatics, or data-intensive projects that do not require bench work.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral researcher in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to faculty labs at Iowa State University or the University of Iowa before your doctoral defense, positioning yourself as a candidate finishing imminently. Many principal investigators in Iowa's crop sciences, infectious disease, and biomedical engineering programs will consider strong doctoral candidates with relevant dissertation work, even without prior postdoctoral experience. Presenting at Iowa-based conferences and reaching out to faculty directly with a focused research proposal gives applicants without a full publication record a meaningful edge over waiting for formal job postings.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral researcher jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral researcher jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across research institutions, universities, and affiliated industry partners. Find the roles that fit your research background and apply directly.
See All 6 Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs