Assistant Professor in Freshwater Ecology. Ames LilyLifestyle

Position Title:

Assistant Professor in Freshwater Ecology

Appointment Type:
Faculty

The Department of Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology (EEOB) seeks applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Freshwater Ecology. We define freshwater ecology broadly (including lake, river, stream, and wetland ecosystems) but will give preference to candidates whose research includes a pathway for application to lakes and reservoirs in Iowa and the midwestern USA. The successful candidate will develop an externally funded research-intensive program that contributes foundational knowledge in freshwater ecology—spanning organismal, population, community, ecosystem, or biogeochemical perspectives—while addressing processes and mechanisms relevant to inland waters of agricultural and human-dominated landscapes.

Candidates may work at any biological scale (genes, individuals, communities, populations, ecosystems), with any group of organisms. We are particularly excited about candidates who use innovative empirical, analytical, computational, or modeling approaches in their research.

The successful candidate will also contribute to undergraduate and graduate education, including the teaching of a course in aquatic ecology.

Research programs that integrate basic ecological discovery with use‑inspired or management-relevant questions are particularly encouraged. There will be opportunities for leveraging ongoing partnerships with state and federal agencies, as well as collaborations with a large assemblage of ISU scientists involved in research on water and environmental resources and with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, the Iowa Water Center, and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, all located at ISU in Ames, IA.

This is a tenure-track position in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the rank of assistant professor. The distribution of effort for this position is 70 % research, 25 % teaching, and 5 % service.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Ph.D. or equivalent in ecology, environmental science, limnology, aquatic biology, or closely related fields.
• Publications in nationally or internationally recognized journals.
• Research experience in freshwater ecology.

• A research vision that includes interest in lakes or reservoirs aligned with the mission of a land grant university, i.e., research that contributes foundational knowledge with relevance to regional, state, or stakeholder-defined challenges.
• Ability to conduct impactful research.
• Commitment to effective teaching and mentoring.
• Ability and commitment to contribute to the Department and University's Principles of Community.

To apply for this position, submit an employment application online. Full consideration is guaranteed for applications received by October 4, 2026. Applicants should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a combined PDF of other documents. Programmatic statements required are:

• A research statement demonstrating research experience and interests in freshwater ecology, a thoughtful research plan, and strategies for funding (up to three pages).
• A statement of teaching and mentoring, demonstrating a thoughtful approach and knowledge of issues related to teaching and learning, including mentoring efforts (up to three pages).

Proposed

Start Date:

August 16, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year: 9 months

Time Type:
Full time

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. All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation may contact employment@ or call .

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.