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Position Title:Postdoc Research Associate - Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewaters

Appointment Type:Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in Engineering of Microbial Systems as part of the microbial component of the NSF-funded Understanding the Rules of Life project, “Using the Rules of Antibiotic Resistance Development to Inform Wastewater Mitigation Strategies”. The successful candidate will work closely with Drs. Adina Howe and Laura Jarboe, as well as collaborate with other Iowa State University researchers and engage with the broader project team.

Position Overview

This postdoctoral position is part of a collaborative research project with teams at the University at Buffalo and Virginia Tech. The overarching goal is to develop models that describe how antimicrobial resistance is selected during wastewater treatment processes.

The Microbial Engineering component focuses on characterizing the cost-benefit dynamics of microbial resistance to sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics, and the associated impact of temperature, metals, and non-antibiotic chemicals.

Role Responsibilities

This position will support research on de novo mutations acquired by E. coli during evolution in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics. Key activities include:

+ Engineering mutations into baseline strains

+ Determining minimum selective concentrations under varying conditions

+ Implementing mutations individually and in combination with one another

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

+ The selection of mutations for characterization

+ Design and implementation of these editing strategies

+ Quantitative assessment of the relative abundance of the engineered strains in various growth conditions

+ Training undergraduate and graduate student researchers in the safe performance of these experiments

+ Communication of results to team members and others in the scientific community, both in writing and in oral presentations.

The ideal candidate will have:

+ Strong writing and oral communication skills

+ Strong organizational skills

+ The ability to work in a collaborative environment

+ A demonstrated understanding of wastewater treatment processes, including the role of bacteria in nutrient cycling and the impact of pathogens on system performance and public health

+ Be creative, independent, and have the desire to learn new things

Required Minimum Qualifications:

+ A Ph.D. or the equivalent in chemical engineering, biological engineering, microbiology, or a related field

+ Experience with the design and implementation of targeted gene edits, including but not limited to primer design, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, DNA transformation, and sterile technique

+ Experience with quantitative characterization of microbial systems, including but not limited to high-throughput growth curves and high-throughput quantitative PCR

+ Experience with gene editing in prokaryotic systems

+ Experience with measurement of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum selective concentration, including understanding of dose-response relationships, bacterial resistance thresholds, and relevant statistical or modeling approaches

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Experience with genome sequence datasets

+ Experience with microbiome sequencing datasets

+ Experience with quantifying antibiotic-resistant determinants

Department/Program & College Description:

While maintaining our traditional connection to agriculture, our faculty researchers are also developing alternative production systems, leading innovative research for renewable energy sources, developing value-added products and processes, and implementing new methods to improve air and water quality.

Department Unit/Website: https://www.abe.iastate.edu/

Proposed Start Date:January 2, 2026

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:December 31, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Application Instructions:

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.

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Postdocs 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)• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing Program

Original Posting Date: November 13, 2025

Posting Close Date:November 20, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18123

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

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, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

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 [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.