Postdoctoral Research Associate – Soil and Plant Microbiomes

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will design, conduct, and manage research on soil and plant root microbiomes using advanced molecular techniques, including Nanopore and Illumina sequencing, microbial cultivation, and nitrogen isotope approaches to quantify microbial and plant nitrogen use. This position will coordinate field and laboratory sample collection efforts, collaborate with research partners, and supervise and train research assistants to ensure high-quality data and sample integrity. The Postdoc will perform bioinformatic and statistical analyses of microbiome, soil, and plant datasets using tools such as R or Python, integrating findings to interpret biological and ecological relationships. The role also includes preparing data summaries, reports, manuscripts, and grant materials, as well as presenting research findings to funding agencies and scientific audiences.

Requirements

• Ph. D. in microbiology or related field.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting independent research involving microbial communities.
• Proficiency in DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, and sequencing using Nanopore and/or Illumina platforms.
• Experience cultivating microbes under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, including phenotypic and genotypic characterization.
• Experience using bioinformatic tools and pipelines for amplicon sequencing-based microbiome analysis, as well as microbial whole genome assembly and annotation.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, and manage research on soil and plant root microbiomes using advanced molecular techniques.
• Coordinate field and laboratory sample collection efforts.
• Collaborate with research partners.
• Supervise and train research assistants.
• Perform bioinformatic and statistical analyses of microbiome, soil, and plant datasets using tools such as R or Python.
• Integrate findings to interpret biological and ecological relationships.
• Prepare data summaries, reports, manuscripts, and grant materials.
• Present research findings to funding agencies and scientific audiences.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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