Postdoc Research Associate - Bee Ecology and Conservation in Farmland

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar for a USDA-NIFA-funded project investigating how reconstructed native habitats in agricultural landscapes affect managed and wild bees. The project, “Evaluating Benefits of Reconstructed Habitat in Farmland Across Bee Species and Landscapes,” examines when and where prairie strips and other reconstructed habitats provide net benefits to bee communities in intensively farmed landscapes.

The position is full-time and based at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal and funding potentially available for up to three years, contingent on satisfactory performance and continued funding. The anticipated start date is January 15, 2027. The scholar will work with Professors Amy Toth, the direct supervisor, Lisa Schulte Moore, and Matthew O’Neal, as well as an interdisciplinary project team. The work integrates field ecology, pollinator health, landscape ecology, pesticide exposure, floral resource assessment, and management of honey bee and bumble bee colonies, with extensive fieldwork at Iowa farms using prairie strips in corn-soybean production systems.

The scholar will collect ecological and bee-health data, help manage and monitor bee colonies, analyze data, publish and present findings, collaborate with project partners, and contribute to plant and floral-resource assessments and pollen sampling. The role offers opportunities to contribute to research planning, mentor students and junior researchers, and develop professional skills relevant to ecology, entomology, conservation science, and related fields. Iowa State University benefits are included. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing basis without sponsorship; immigration sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

• PhD in biology, entomology, ecology, or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
• Prior research experience relevant to the project's goals and activities.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting ecological or entomological field research, especially related to Hymenoptera.
• Experience with plant and/or bee identification.
• Experience with beekeeping or honey bee research.

Responsibilities

• Travel to field sites and collect ecological and bee-health data on wild bees, managed bumble bees, and honey bees.
• Assist with management and monitoring of honey bee and bumble bee colonies used in the study.
• Analyze data, prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, and present research findings at scientific conferences.
• Collaborate with project investigators, research staff, graduate and undergraduate students, farmer cooperators, and other project partners.
• Assist with plant surveys, floral-resource measurements, including use of drone imagery, and pollen sampling and analysis.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research focused on pollinator conservation in agricultural landscapes.
• Contribute to research planning and mentor students and junior researchers.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
• Vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans.
• Onsite childcare in Ames, Iowa.
• Life insurance and long-term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Voluntary benefits and discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellbeing program.
• WorkFlex options may be available for some positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree