Research Assistant Professor Jobs in Iowa
Research Assistant Professor jobs in Iowa are open across Ames and Iowa City and other Iowa metros, with employers like Iowa State University and The University of Iowa hiring at every experience level. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Research Assistant Professor jobs











Position Title:
Research Assistant Professor - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Appointment Type:
Faculty
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ece.iastate.edu), in the College of Engineering at Iowa State University, invites applications for the position of Research Assistant Professor. This is a 3-year term research faculty position that holds responsibilities primarily contributing to the research mission of the department through scholarly impact and an externally funded research program in the areas of wireless and network systems. Specifically, besides contributing to the research, education, and innovation projects led by the Center for Wireless, Communities and Innovation (wici.iastate.edu), the responsibilities include mentoring graduate and undergraduate students working on research and design projects.
Term Faculty hold limited-term, full or part-time, renewable appointments that are not eligible for tenure, but have the potential to be reviewed for advancement into senior ranks. Research faculty must secure extramural funding to fully support their research program and at least 80% but no more than 90% of their salary, with the remainder salary provided by the department.
Successful candidates will have experience that demonstrates exceptional ability or potential to produce scholarship, compete for and secure funding from external sources, and the capability for long-term leadership in their research field. They will also exhibit excellent communication skills.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
* Ph. D. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications:
Research experience and quality publications in advanced wireless and network systems (e.g., safety-critical wireless, URLLC, Open RAN, 6G/NextG);
Hands-on experience with cellular network platforms (e.g., O-RAN, srsRAN, OpenAirInterface, Aether/SD-RAN), edge/cloud computing platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenStack), SDN, and/or VNF;
Hands-on experience in designing, developing, deploying, and/or operating field-deployed wireless, network, and/or distributed systems;
Hands-on experiences in edge/cloud systems management, virtual machines/containers, Linux systems administration, shell scripting, etc;
Capability of building systems prototypes based on reference publications and/or open-source software;
Knowledge of wireless systems, networked/distributed systems, operating systems, virtualization, systems and network security;
* Programming skills: Python, C, C++, Java, Web etc.
Department/Program & College Description:
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University is home to 60 faculty and is associated with 11 research centers and institutes, for instance, the Center for Wireless, Community and Innovation (WiCI). The department boasts 20 IEEE Fellows, over $15.4M in research expenditures (FY20), and one of the largest ECpE enrollments in the nation.
About Iowa State University and the Ames Community
Iowa State University is classified as a Carnegie Foundation Doctoral/Research University-Extensive. More than 30,000 students are enrolled and are served by over 6,200 faculty and staff. The College of Engineering consists of eight departments with annual research expenditures exceeding $105 million.
Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA, a progressive community of 66,000, located approximately 30 minutes north of Des Moines, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Midwest, and is beaming with community pride and accolades.
Iowa State University and the College of Engineering are responsive to the needs of dual-career couples and are dedicated to work-life balance through an array of flexible work policies.
Department Unit/Website:
For more information about our department’s engineering programs, go to www.ece.iastate.edu.
Proposed Start Date:
August 16, 2026
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:
May 15, 2029
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
09 Month Work Period
Time Type:
Full time
Application Instructions:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications should be received by May 31st, 2026. All interested, qualified persons must apply for this position online at jobs.iastate.edu.
The following documents are required to be submitted in PDF format:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Application/Cover Letter that briefly discusses how the candidate meets each of the preferred qualifications
Contact information for at least three references, including name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and other pertinent information
Research statement
Inquiries regarding this position may be directed to Hongwei Zhang (hongwei@iastate.edu) or Sara K. Harris (skharris@iastate.edu).
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous 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
Original Posting Date:
March 4, 2026
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:
R18719
See All 7 Research Assistant Professor Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsResearch Assistant Professor Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Assistant Professor Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Iowa State University5

- The University of Iowa2

Top Industries Hiring
- Education7
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research assistant professor jobs across Iowa.
- PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field required
- Independent research experience with peer-reviewed publications
- Demonstrated ability to secure or contribute to extramural grant funding
- Proficiency with discipline-specific research tools, software, or laboratory techniques
- Experience mentoring graduate students or research staff
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for academic and public audiences
Research Assistant Professor Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How many research assistant professor jobs are there in Iowa?
There are 7+ research assistant professor openings in Iowa on Migrate Mate as of June 2026, with the most roles in Ames and Iowa City. New positions post regularly as employers across Iowa hire.
Which Iowa cities have the most research assistant professor jobs?
Ames and Iowa City have the most research assistant professor openings in Iowa right now, with additional roles spread across smaller metros statewide.
Which companies hire research assistant professors in Iowa?
Employers hiring research assistant professors in Iowa include Iowa State University and The University of Iowa, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026.
Are there remote research assistant professor jobs in Iowa?
Yes. About 0% of research assistant professor openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The rest are on-site roles based in Iowa metros.
How do I apply for research assistant professor jobs in Iowa?
You can apply to research assistant professor jobs in Iowa directly on Migrate Mate. Search the listings above, find roles that match your experience and preferred Iowa location, then apply to each one that fits.
See All 7 Research Assistant Professor Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs