Postdoctoral Research Associate in Crop Genetic Resources and Informatics

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

Retirement benefits

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Iowa State University’s EEOB invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Crop Genetic Resources and Informatics to apply genome informatics and quantitative genetic approaches to trait analysis in maize. The position supports maize pangenomics and population diversity studies, with potential work on cotton.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Plant Biology, has experience with population genomics, large datasets, and SLURM-based HPC, and is proficient in R.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Biology is required.
• Experience conducting population genomic analyses of crop species.
• Experience managing and analyzing large-scale biological datasets.

Responsibilities

• Apply genome informatics and quantitative genetic approaches to trait analysis in maize.
• Research will include work on maize pangenomics and population diversity, with opportunities to contribute to similar analyses in other crop systems, including cotton.

Skills

Population genomics

Data analysis

R & statistics

Education

PhD in Plant Biology

Tools

SLURM

R

Job description

Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Crop Genetic Resources and Informatics

Appointment Type: Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

We are seeking an experienced Postdoctoral Researcher in Crop Genetic Resources and Informatics to apply genome informatics and quantitative genetic approaches to trait analysis in maize. Research will include work on maize pangenomics and population diversity, with opportunities to contribute to similar analyses in other crop systems, including cotton.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Plant Biology
• Experience conducting population genomic analyses of crop species
• Experience managing and analyzing large-scale biological datasets
• Experience using SLURM-based high-performance computing systems
• Demonstrated proficiency in R

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience obtaining external research funding and/or contributing to funded research projects.
• Demonstrated experience teaching, training, and mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly productivity, including first-author peer-reviewed publications (minimum of five publications preferred).
• Demonstrated experience using GitHub or similar platforms for version control, code management, and research data archiving.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary research teams and communicate scientific findings through publications and presentations.

Department/Program & College Description:

The Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology explores everything from how organisms interact with their environment to the interrelationships among species; from the diversity of life to the structure of individual organisms, EEOB provides many ways to study life on our planet.

Department Unit/Website:

Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology (EEOB)

Why Choose Iowa State University?

• Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:
• 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
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions.
• WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work.

Proposed Start Date:

January 1, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12

Month Work Period Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

Post Docs

Original Posting Date:

September 4, 2026

Posting Close Date:

September 11, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19903

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Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

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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.