Position Title:
Assistant Professor in Freshwater Ecology
Appointment Type:
Faculty
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department of Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology (EEOB) seeks applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Freshwater Ecology. We define freshwater ecology broadly (including lake, river, stream, and wetland ecosystems) but will give preference to candidates whose research includes a pathway for application to lakes and reservoirs in Iowa and the midwestern USA. The successful candidate will develop an externally funded, research-intensive program that contributes foundational knowledge in freshwater ecology—spanning organismal, population, community, ecosystem, or biogeochemical perspectives—while addressing processes and mechanisms relevant to inland waters of agricultural and human-dominated landscapes. Research may be at any biological scale (genes, individuals, communities, populations, ecosystems), with any group of organisms. We are particularly excited about candidates who use innovative empirical, analytical, computational, or modeling approaches in their research. The successful candidate will also contribute to undergraduate and graduate education, including the teaching of a course in aquatic ecology.
Research programs that integrate basic ecological discovery with use-inspired or management-relevant questions are particularly encouraged. There will be opportunities for leveraging ongoing partnerships with state and federal agencies, as well as collaborations with a large assemblage of ISU scientists involved in research on water and environmental resources and with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, the Iowa Water Center, and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, all located at ISU in Ames, IA. This is a tenure-track position in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the rank of assistant professor. The distribution of effort for this position is 70% research, 25% teaching, and 5% service
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.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent in ecology, environmental science, limnology, aquatic biology, or closely related fields.
Publications in nationally or internationally recognized journals.
Research experience in freshwater ecology.
Preferred Qualifications:
A research vision that includes interest in lakes or reservoirs aligned with the mission of a land‑grant university, i.e., research that contributes foundational knowledge with relevance to regional, state, or stakeholder‑defined challenges.
Ability to conduct impactful research.
Commitment to effective teaching and mentoring.
Ability and commitment to contribute to the Department and University’s Principles of Community.
Department/Program & College Description:
The Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology is a collaborative and collegial community of about 80 faculty, graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and staff addressing a wide range of research questions using multiple, often integrative, approaches that bridge traditional scientific disciplines and spans multiple levels of biological organization. EEOB is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). The department co-administers undergraduate programs in Biology, Environmental Science, and Genetics and administers the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program. Our faculty participate actively in multiple interdepartmental graduate programs, including Environmental Science, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, and Genetics and Genomics.
Department Unit/Website:
Proposed Start Date:
August 16, 2027
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
09 Month Work Period
Time Type:
Full time
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Full consideration is guaranteed for applications received by October 4, 2026. All interested, qualified persons must apply for this position online at jobs.iastate.edu to Job Requisition Number R19216. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
A cover letter
A curriculum vitae
Contact information for three references
Other documents (submitted as one combined PDF)
a. A research statement demonstrating research experience and interests in freshwater ecology, a thoughtful research plan, and strategies for funding (up to three pages)
b. A statement of teaching and mentoring, demonstrating a thoughtful approach and knowledge of issues related to teaching and learning, including mentoring efforts (up to three pages)
For questions about the application process or position, please contact Samantha Smith at [email protected].
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous 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
Original Posting Date:
May 15, 2026
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:
R19216
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].
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.
Academic & Institutional Research (1)