About this role
Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate - Plant Pathology and Virology
Appointment Type: Post Doc/Trainee
Job Description: Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: The Postdoctoral Research Associate will contribute to research focused on the discovery and characterization of a new maize virus. Responsibilities include conducting molecular virology experiments, performing and analyzing ribosome profiling studies, investigating virus-host interactions, and supporting the development of research strategies. The position will involve collecting and interpreting experimental data, collaborating with faculty, staff, and students, maintaining laboratory records, and contributing to manuscripts, presentations, and other scholarly publications. The successful candidate will work in a collaborative research environment dedicated to advancing knowledge of plant virus biology and crop health.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
• PhD in molecular virology or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with plant and human viruses
Department/Program & College Description: The Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and the Department of Entomology officially merged as of September 1, 2022. The new department is known as the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology (PPEM). The overall mission of the Department is to benefit society through research, teaching, and extension activities that improve pest management and prevent disease. Collectively, the Department consists of about 100 faculty, staff, and students who are engaged in research, teaching, and extension activities that are central to the mission of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Department possesses state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities in the Advanced Research and Teaching Building and in Science II. In addition, research and extension activities are performed off-campus at the Field Extension Education Laboratory, the Horticulture Station, the Agriculture Engineering/Agronomy Farm, and several Research and Demonstration Farms located around the state. Furthermore, the Department houses the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, the Iowa Soybean Research Center, and BugGuide. Several USDA-ARS scientists are also affiliated with the Department.
Department Unit/Website: Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology
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.
Application Instructions: To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae Letter of Application/Cover Letter
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. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Proposed Start Date: October 26, 2026
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
Time Type: Full time
Pay Grade: Post Docs
Original Posting Date: September 4, 2026
Posting Close Date: September 15, 2026
Job Requisition Number: R19899
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. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu. 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.