Research Scientist I - Poultry

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Generous vacation and holidays

Onsite childcare

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Iowa State University in Ames, IA is seeking an early-career Research Scientist I to coordinate and support poultry research activities. The role oversees animal studies, lab operations, and compliance with protocols and regulations while guiding students and research personnel.

The position emphasizes providing technical training, maintaining data integrity, and ensuring high-quality research outcomes in a dynamic lab environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field.
• Experience coordinating animal research and lab activities.
• Knowledge of biosafety, SOPs, and regulatory guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee animal research studies and scheduling.
• Ensure activities follow approved protocols and safety requirements.
• Coordinate data collection, sample processing, and storage.
• Provide training and guidance to students and staff.
• Prepare study reports and maintain compliance documentation.
• Oversee chemical analyses in nutrition laboratory and quality control.

Skills

Animal research coordination

Laboratory supervision

Data collection

Safety compliance

Student training

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science or related field

Job description

Position Title:

Research Scientist I - Poultry

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

Job Description:

The Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University is seeking an early-career Research Scientist I to coordinate and support animal science research activities. This position will oversee animal research studies, coordinate laboratory operations, and ensure research activities are conducted in accordance with approved protocols, established procedures, and regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will also provide technical guidance and training to students and research personnel while supporting the quality, accuracy, and integrity of research outcomes.

What You’ll Do

• Coordinate and oversee animal research studies, including scheduling and managing the use of animals, facilities, equipment, and other research resources.
• Ensure research activities follow approved experimental protocols, animal welfare standards, standard operating procedures, biosafety requirements, and applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Coordinate data collection and the collection, processing, handling, and storage of biological samples to maintain research quality and integrity.
• Identify and resolve operational, technical, or protocol-related issues that may affect animal welfare, research outcomes, or study timelines.
• Prepare study reports and maintain required research, regulatory, and compliance documentation in accordance with institutional and sponsor requirements.
• Perform and oversee chemical analyses of research samples in the nutrition laboratory, ensuring adherence to established methodologies, laboratory procedures, and quality control standards.
• Coordinate laboratory workflows, including scheduling and prioritizing equipment use, managing sample analysis activities, and supporting the implementation of research methodologies.
• Train and provide technical guidance to undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, hourly employees, and research staff on laboratory procedures, equipment operation, research protocols, and safety practices.
• Monitor research activities and personnel to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and promote a safe, organized, and compliant research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Poultry Science, or a related field .
• Experience handling and working with poultry in a research or production setting.
• Experience collecting, processing, and managing biological samples.
• Experience working in a traditional laboratory setting, performing routine laboratory procedures and chemical or biological analyses.
• Experience following laboratory and animal research safety procedures, including compliance with established protocols, standard operating procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Experience coordinating research activities, including developing schedules, prioritizing tasks, and managing resources to ensure studies and laboratory work are completed within established timelines.

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.

This is a term position that may have opportunity for renewal.

Why Choose Iowa State University?

• 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

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

January 3, 2028

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS807

Original Posting Date:

November 3, 2026

Posting Close Date:

November 10, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R20169

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. 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].

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.