Postdoctoral Research Associate – Environmental Microbiome Research

Position Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Environmental Microbiome Research

Post Doc/Trainee

Summary of

Duties and Responsibilities:

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join a team investigating the mechanistic interpretation of microbiome dynamics. This work applies principles of quantitative ecology to systems microbiology, with the goal of strengthening the links between microbial cellular physiology, community dynamics, and ecosystem function.

Our research focuses on plant–microbial interactions for sustainable bioenergy and nutrient cycling, as well as understanding bacterial stress responses under environmental perturbations. The project will involve cultivating environmental bacteria from soil under controlled laboratory conditions and integrating wet-lab microbial ecology with cultivation approaches. Additional work will include imaging-based physiology, molecular and multi-omic workflows, and quantitative and computational analyses of microbial communities.

The successful candidate will also apply statistical modeling for mechanistic inference and conduct biogeographic and geospatial analyses of microbiomes.

This position involves collaborating with scientists and technical staff and leading independent research initiatives in environmental microbiome science. The candidate will be expected to publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences, seminars, and technical meetings.

• PhD in Environmental Engineering or related field.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications demonstrating scientific initiative and originality.
• Experience in designing, running, and analyzing data from image-based physiology and single-cell activity profiling.

• Experience with cultivation techniques for plant, fungal, or bacterial interaction studies.
• Proven ability to independently design and execute research projects, with strong communication skills demonstrated through scientific presentations and preparation of manuscripts and other written materials.
• Experience analyzing ‘omics datasets (e.g., metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, or metabolomics).
• Experience conducting biogeographic and geospatial analyses.

• 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.
• Work Flex options for some positions. Work Flex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work.

October 1, 2026

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