<p>Position Title:</p> <p>Postdoctoral Research Associate - Polymer & Food Protection</p> <p>Appointment Type:</p> <p>Post Doc/Trainee</p> <p>Job Description:</p> <p>Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:</p> <p>Post Doc with the Polymer and Food Protection Consortium, working with plastic packaging and recycling to evaluate contamination, regulation, and properties.</p> <p>Required Minimum Qualifications:</p> <p>PhD</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Experience operating and interpreting data from analytical and characterization equipment, including:</p> </li><li> <p>Universal Mechanical Testing Machine</p> </li><li> <p>Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)</p> </li><li> <p>DTG thermal analyzer</p> </li><li> <p>FT-IR spectroscopy</p> </li><li> <p>Colorimeter</p> </li><li> <p>UV-Vis spectrophotometer</p> </li><li> <p>Zetasizer Nano ZS</p> </li><li> <p>Gas permeability testing systems</p> </li><li> <p>Experience conducting polymer physical-chemical analyses, including thermal, mechanical, and spectroscopic characterization.</p> </li><li> <p>Experience performing physical-chemical analyses and electrochemical measurements.</p> </li><li> <p>Experience in manufacturing and processing polymer films from a variety of polymer sources.</p> </li></ul> <p>Department/Program & College Description:</p> <p>The Polymer and Food Protection Consortium at Iowa State University conducts industry-relevant research to develop innovative solutions that improve the design, safety, and functionality of materials used in packaging and industrial applications.</p> <p>Through a combination of fundamental and applied research, the consortium supports industry partners and actively drives knowledge and technology transfer to help address real-world challenges in packaging, materials performance, and food safety.</p> <p>Department Unit/Website:</p> <p>Polymer and Food Protection Consortium</p> <p>Proposed Start Date:</p> <p>May 18, 2026</p> <p>Proposed End Date or Length of Term:</p> <p>April 30, 2027</p> <p>Number of Months Employed Per Year:</p> <p>12 Month Work Period</p> <p>Time Type:</p> <p>Full time</p> <p>Application Instructions:</p> <p>To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:</p> <p>1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae</p> <p>2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Why Choose ISU?</p> <p>Iowa State Postdocs enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:</p> <ul> <li>Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans </li><li>Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans </li><li>Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) </li><li>Flexible Spending Accounts </li><li>Various voluntary benefits and discounts </li><li>Employee Assistance Program </li><li>Wellbeing Program </li></ul> <p>Original Posting Date:</p> <p>April 3, 2026</p> <p>Posting Close Date:</p> <p>April 9, 2026</p> <p>Job Requisition Number:</p> <p>R18912</p>