Senior Researcher Jobs in Iowa
Senior Researcher jobs in Iowa are steadily active, with demand concentrated in academic research institutions, life sciences, agricultural technology, and public policy analysis at every level from project-level researcher to principal investigator. The strongest hiring is centered in Iowa City, Des Moines, and Ames, where the University of Iowa, Principal Financial Group, and Iowa State University regularly seek experienced researchers across health sciences, data analytics, and agricultural systems. Quantitative methods, grant-funded project leadership, and applied social science research are among the most in-demand specialties in the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 46+ Senior Researcher jobs
Position Specific Summary:
Conduct research in the environmental health sciences, being involved in research proposals and grant funding applications.
Design, execute and control experimental research studies.
Coordinate the processing and analysis of data, conduct experimental tests and procedures.
Conduct literature reviews, analyze research data, and disseminate research findings.
Prepare manuscripts and publish.
Develop and evaluate new and/or revised research methodologies for an assessment of toxicity of different xenobiotics.
Key Areas of Responsibilities and Specific Job Tasks
Experiments, Simulations, Modeling or Theoretical Investigations
Design, coordinate and conduct experimental toxicology studies. Develop, troubleshoot and formulate new protocols and hypotheses in toxicology studies. In collaboration with PI, develop and implement research plans. Collect data and evaluate relevance of data. Work independently on basic research tasks with oversight by PI. Contribute to documentation of equipment and procedures. Operate and maintain analytical instrumentation for measurement of relevant toxicological outcomes.
Data/Research Analysis and Evaluation
Analyze data for relevance and data integrity. Compare results of scientific investigations to previously published work in area of environmental toxicology. Perform critical analysis of relevant literature and current developments on topics related to the environmental health sciences and evaluation of current methods used in the laboratory practice. Design and implement data processing systems to code research data and prepare comprehensive reports on research studies. Independently and efficiently schedule and perform quantification of toxicants using established standard operating procedures. Oversee QA/QC processes to ensure optimal laboratory practice.
Dissemination of Research Results
Analyze research data independently (with minimal guidance) prepare and organize the results of research undertaken for publication in reports, research papers and journals. Independently prepare manuscripts and publish. Develop new methodology and techniques related to toxicity assessment of environmental compounds. Perform statistical analyses of obtained data and interpret the findings.
Research Proposals/Grants
Manage grant proposals including budgets. Contribute to new or continuing research grant proposals to obtain funding for research studies. Serve as co-PI on grants and proposals or a consultant to principal investigator of the project, faculty and staff. Contribute to progress reports required by funding agencies. Supervise adherence to safety and compliance guidelines when necessary. Manage the paperwork concerning the projects requiring approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
Service
Provide service to the scientific community, University and general public. Review submitted manuscript and research proposals. Consult and collaborate with the research community. Participate in public outreach activities as required by funding sources. Participate in national and international meetings in chemistry or toxicology.
Human Resources/Supervision
Train and instruct new staff. Mentor and train graduate students. Support personnel in techniques, protocols and instruments used in the laboratory. Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling to assure outcomes are achieved.
Required Qualifications
PhD in toxicology.
1 year of experience in biomedical science or analytical toxicology.
Experience in writing and publishing research manuscripts, reports, presentations. Record of publishing original research in peer-reviewed journals.
Demonstrated experience in establishing, validating, troubleshooting, and executing the analysis of environmental contaminants in complex matrices.
Demonstrated experience with animal studies, including colony breeding, drug administration, blood and tissue collection.
Demonstrated experience with rodents neurobehavioral testing, including but not limited to open field test, y-maze, elevated plus maze, and novel object recognition test.
Demonstrated experience with cell culture.
Demonstrated experience with basic molecular biology techniques, including DNA and RNA isolation, western blot, qPCR, and ELISA.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary research team, with collaborators inside and outside the University of Iowa.
Experience with omics data analysis, e.g. RNA sequencing, metabolomics, or proteomics.
Experience with data analysis/statistics/programming in Prism, R, and/or Python.
Experience with histopathology and imaging.
Ability to mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
Desired Qualifications
MS in toxicology or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with grant writing.
Expert proficiency with analytical instrumentation, e.g., GC-MS or LC-MS.
Position and Application details:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
For additional questions, please contact Lisa Irving via email at lisa-irving@uiowa.edu.
- Classification Title: Asst Research Scientist/Engin
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: On Campus
- Pay Level: 5A
- Organization: College of Public Health
- Contact Name: Lisa Irving
- Contact Email: lisa-irving@uiowa.edu
Position Specific Summary:
Conduct research in the environmental health sciences, being involved in research proposals and grant funding applications.
Design, execute and control experimental research studies.
Coordinate the processing and analysis of data, conduct experimental tests and procedures.
Conduct literature reviews, analyze research data, and disseminate research findings.
Prepare manuscripts and publish.
Develop and evaluate new and/or revised research methodologies for an assessment of toxicity of different xenobiotics.
Key Areas of Responsibilities and Specific Job Tasks
Experiments, Simulations, Modeling or Theoretical Investigations
Design, coordinate and conduct experimental toxicology studies. Develop, troubleshoot and formulate new protocols and hypotheses in toxicology studies. In collaboration with PI, develop and implement research plans. Collect data and evaluate relevance of data. Work independently on basic research tasks with oversight by PI. Contribute to documentation of equipment and procedures. Operate and maintain analytical instrumentation for measurement of relevant toxicological outcomes.
Data/Research Analysis and Evaluation
Analyze data for relevance and data integrity. Compare results of scientific investigations to previously published work in area of environmental toxicology. Perform critical analysis of relevant literature and current developments on topics related to the environmental health sciences and evaluation of current methods used in the laboratory practice. Design and implement data processing systems to code research data and prepare comprehensive reports on research studies. Independently and efficiently schedule and perform quantification of toxicants using established standard operating procedures. Oversee QA/QC processes to ensure optimal laboratory practice.
Dissemination of Research Results
Analyze research data independently (with minimal guidance) prepare and organize the results of research undertaken for publication in reports, research papers and journals. Independently prepare manuscripts and publish. Develop new methodology and techniques related to toxicity assessment of environmental compounds. Perform statistical analyses of obtained data and interpret the findings.
Research Proposals/Grants
Manage grant proposals including budgets. Contribute to new or continuing research grant proposals to obtain funding for research studies. Serve as co-PI on grants and proposals or a consultant to principal investigator of the project, faculty and staff. Contribute to progress reports required by funding agencies. Supervise adherence to safety and compliance guidelines when necessary. Manage the paperwork concerning the projects requiring approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
Service
Provide service to the scientific community, University and general public. Review submitted manuscript and research proposals. Consult and collaborate with the research community. Participate in public outreach activities as required by funding sources. Participate in national and international meetings in chemistry or toxicology.
Human Resources/Supervision
Train and instruct new staff. Mentor and train graduate students. Support personnel in techniques, protocols and instruments used in the laboratory. Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling to assure outcomes are achieved.
Required Qualifications
PhD in toxicology.
1 year of experience in biomedical science or analytical toxicology.
Experience in writing and publishing research manuscripts, reports, presentations. Record of publishing original research in peer-reviewed journals.
Demonstrated experience in establishing, validating, troubleshooting, and executing the analysis of environmental contaminants in complex matrices.
Demonstrated experience with animal studies, including colony breeding, drug administration, blood and tissue collection.
Demonstrated experience with rodents neurobehavioral testing, including but not limited to open field test, y-maze, elevated plus maze, and novel object recognition test.
Demonstrated experience with cell culture.
Demonstrated experience with basic molecular biology techniques, including DNA and RNA isolation, western blot, qPCR, and ELISA.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary research team, with collaborators inside and outside the University of Iowa.
Experience with omics data analysis, e.g. RNA sequencing, metabolomics, or proteomics.
Experience with data analysis/statistics/programming in Prism, R, and/or Python.
Experience with histopathology and imaging.
Ability to mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
Desired Qualifications
MS in toxicology or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with grant writing.
Expert proficiency with analytical instrumentation, e.g., GC-MS or LC-MS.
Position and Application details:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
For additional questions, please contact Lisa Irving via email at lisa-irving@uiowa.edu.
- Classification Title: Asst Research Scientist/Engin
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: On Campus
- Pay Level: 5A
- Organization: College of Public Health
- Contact Name: Lisa Irving
- Contact Email: lisa-irving@uiowa.edu
See All 46 Senior Researcher Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Researcher JobsSenior Researcher Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Researcher Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- The University of Iowa18
- Iowa State University10
- SSAB3
- Wells Enterprises3
- Collins Aerospace2
Top Industries Hiring
- Education21
- Manufacturing3
- Food & Beverage3
- Science & Research1
- Aerospace & Defense1
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior researcher jobs across Iowa.
- Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field recognized by Iowa research institutions
- Minimum of five years of independent research experience in a specialized discipline
- Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and publish peer-reviewed or applied research
- Proficiency with statistical software such as R, SAS, or SPSS for data analysis
- Experience writing and managing competitive grants from federal or state funding agencies
- Strong record of cross-functional collaboration with academic departments or industry partners
Senior Researcher Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior researcher in Iowa?
Becoming a senior researcher in Iowa typically requires an advanced degree, most often a master's or doctorate in your field, followed by several years of progressively independent research experience. While Iowa does not issue a universal state license for the title of senior researcher, roles in regulated areas such as clinical research require compliance with institutional review boards and, for health-related work, familiarity with Iowa Department of Public Health protocols. Building a publication record, securing grant funding, and earning field-specific credentials strengthens your candidacy significantly.
Which companies hire senior researchers in Iowa?
Iowa senior researcher roles are posted by The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and SSAB and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's blend of major research universities, agricultural biotech firms, and financial services companies creates consistent demand for senior researchers across a wider range of industries than most Midwestern states.
Which Iowa cities have the most senior researcher jobs?
Iowa City, Ames, and Le Mars have the most senior researcher openings in Iowa. Iowa City drives volume through the University of Iowa's extensive research enterprise and its affiliated hospital system, Ames benefits from Iowa State University and a growing agtech corridor, and Des Moines draws demand from financial services firms, health insurers, and state government policy offices that rely on applied research teams.
Are there remote senior researcher jobs in Iowa?
Yes, and more than many comparable roles, since senior researcher work in analytical, social science, and policy disciplines is largely desk-based and transferable to remote settings. About 29% of senior researcher openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting strong adoption among data-driven and policy-focused employers. Laboratory, clinical, and field-based research positions remain predominantly on-site.
How can I get hired as a senior researcher in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research assistant or research associate role at one of Iowa's major research universities, where you build independent project experience under faculty or senior staff supervision. The University of Iowa and Iowa State University regularly post entry-level research positions that serve as direct pipelines to senior roles. Moving laterally from analyst, data coordinator, or program evaluator positions at Iowa state agencies or health systems is another proven route. Completing a relevant graduate degree, obtaining a first authorship publication, or earning a project management credential gives candidates a measurable edge in the Iowa market.
Where can I find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to senior researcher jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across Iowa's research-active employers. Search the listings, identify roles that match your background and specialization, and apply directly to the ones that fit. No account creation is required to view and apply to open positions.
See All 46 Senior Researcher Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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