Postdoctoral Research Associate in Metabolomics
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What you'll do
- Support collaborative and independent research focused on metabolomics and small molecule analysis using advanced mass spectrometry technologies.
- Develop and execute metabolomics workflows for a diverse portfolio of research projects involving biological, environmental, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and biomanufacturing applications.
- Operate, maintain, and provide training on a variety of analytical instrumentation, including a Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Astral Mass Spectrometer, LC-MS, and GC-MS platforms.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and external researchers to design experiments, prepare samples, acquire and analyze data, and interpret complex metabolomics datasets.
- Perform targeted and non-targeted metabolite profiling of a wide range of sample types, including animal models, human cell lines and cohorts, plants, microbial systems, environmental samples, and other novel biological materials.
- Assist in the development and implementation of new analytical methods and provide scientific consultation to researchers utilizing facility resources.
- Coordinate metabolomics research projects, support the training of laboratory users, contribute to the preparation of scientific reports and publications, present research findings at professional conferences, and participate in ongoing professional development opportunities.
What they're looking for
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Bioinformatics, or a related field.
- Experience working with mass spectrometry instrumentation, associated software platforms, and data analysis workflows.
- Research experience in non-targeted metabolomics, global metabolomics, lipidomics, or closely related fields, including experimental design, sample preparation, data acquisition, data analysis, and post-acquisition bioinformatic and/or statistical analysis.
- Experience analyzing high-resolution LC-MS/MS data generated using Thermo Scientific Orbitrap instrumentation or similar high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms.
Nice to have
- Experience using Thermo Scientific software applications, including Xcalibur, Compound Discoverer, TraceFinder, and LipidSearch.
- Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing complex analytical instrumentation in a research laboratory.
- Experience processing, analyzing, and interpreting raw mass spectrometry data.
- Experience with multi-omics data integration, statistical analysis, and biological interpretation of complex datasets.
- Demonstrated ability to support collaborative research projects and communicate technical findings to diverse scientific audiences.
Summarised by NextRaise from the employer’s description, which follows in full below.
Full description from employer
Position Title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate in MetabolomicsAppointment Type:
Post Doc/TraineeJob Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Metabolomics Research Facility is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support collaborative and independent research focused on metabolomics and small molecule analysis using advanced mass spectrometry technologies. This position will play a key role in developing and executing metabolomics workflows for a diverse portfolio of research projects involving biological, environmental, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and biomanufacturing applications.
The successful candidate will operate, maintain, and provide training on a variety of analytical instrumentation, including a Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Astral Mass Spectrometer, LC-MS, and GC-MS platforms. The individual will collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and external researchers to design experiments, prepare samples, acquire and analyze data, and interpret complex metabolomics datasets.
Research activities will include both targeted and non-targeted metabolite profiling of a wide range of sample types, including animal models, human cell lines and cohorts, plants, microbial systems, environmental samples, and other novel biological materials. The postdoctoral researcher will assist in the development and implementation of new analytical methods and provide scientific consultation to researchers utilizing facility resources.
Additional responsibilities include coordinating metabolomics research projects, supporting the training of laboratory users, contributing to the preparation of scientific reports and publications, presenting research findings at professional conferences, and participating in ongoing professional development opportunities. The position offers an opportunity to work in a highly collaborative research environment while advancing expertise in mass spectrometry, metabolomics, and interdisciplinary scientific research.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Analytical Chemistry, Bioinformatics, or a related field.
- Experience working with mass spectrometry instrumentation, associated software platforms, and data analysis workflows.
- Research experience in non-targeted metabolomics, global metabolomics, lipidomics, or closely related fields, including experimental design, sample preparation, data acquisition, data analysis, and post-acquisition bioinformatic and/or statistical analysis.
- Experience analyzing high-resolution LC-MS/MS data generated using Thermo Scientific Orbitrap instrumentation or similar high-resolution mass spectrometry platforms.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using Thermo Scientific software applications, including Xcalibur, Compound Discoverer, TraceFinder, and LipidSearch.
- Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing complex analytical instrumentation in a research laboratory.
- Experience processing, analyzing, and interpreting raw mass spectrometry data.
- Experience with multi-omics data integration, statistical analysis, and biological interpretation of complex datasets.
- Demonstrated ability to support collaborative research projects and communicate technical findings to diverse scientific audiences.
Department/Program & College Description:
Department Unit/Website:
W.M. Keck Metabolomics Research Lab | Iowa State University
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:
September 1, 2026Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work PeriodTime Type:
Full timePay Grade:
Post DocsOriginal Posting Date:
August 28, 2026Posting Close Date:
September 28, 2026Job Requisition Number:
R19759Iowa 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.
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