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Research Assistant Professor Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

PALMER COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Research Faculty

Davenport, IA · On-site

$75 - $100/hr

Position Overview Assistant Professor in the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research (PCCR), without required teaching responsibilities, focused on research in musculoskeletal health and pain ...

UnityPoint Health

Assistant Professor-BSN

Waterloo, IA · On-site

An Assistant Professor is actively involved in teaching, guidance, and academic advising of ... On-going study and research to develop expertise and maintain proficiency and growth in one's field ...

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$31K

$86.6K

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How much do research assistant professor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for research assistant professor in Iowa is $86,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,100.00 and $101,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research assistant professor?

A Research Assistant Professor is an academic professional who primarily focuses on conducting research rather than teaching. They usually hold a doctoral degree and work on specific research projects, often funded by grants. Unlike tenure-track professors, Research Assistant Professors are typically on non-tenure-track appointments. Their responsibilities may include designing experiments, publishing scholarly articles, and mentoring graduate students. These positions are often temporary and can serve as a stepping stone to more permanent academic roles.

What is a research assistant professor?

A research assistant professor works in academia as a non-tenure track faculty member in a specified department. This role is somewhat different from an associate professor or an adjunct professor because it is often the first step for a recent Ph.D. graduate and is typically a temporary position within the college or university. In this career, you may work under a fellowship that allows the university funds to pay you for a specified period, as long as you complete research that is under the guidelines of that fellowship. Your additional responsibilities as a research assistant professor may include teaching, student advisement, participation in faculty meetings and votes, and more. However, not all of these roles require you to be an instructor. Some stick to strictly research duties.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research assistant professor?

To thrive as a Research Assistant Professor, you need advanced expertise in your academic field, a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent), and a strong record of research publications. Familiarity with specialized research software, laboratory equipment, grant-writing processes, and data analysis tools is typically necessary. Strong written and verbal communication, collaboration, and project management skills distinguish high performers in this role. These qualifications are crucial for producing impactful research, securing funding, and contributing to the academic community.

What are some typical challenges faced by research assistant professors when balancing research and teaching responsibilities?

Research Assistant Professors often encounter challenges in managing their time between research projects and teaching duties. While the primary focus of the role is usually on conducting original research and securing funding, they may also be expected to mentor students, assist with departmental tasks, or occasionally teach courses. Navigating grant deadlines, publishing requirements, and student supervision can make effective time management crucial. Open communication with department leadership and collaborators can help clarify expectations and create a manageable workload.

What is the difference between Research Assistant Professor vs Research Scientist?

AspectResearch Assistant ProfessorResearch Scientist
Required credentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D.) often requiredMaster's or Ph.D., depending on field
Work environmentAcademic institutions, research labsIndustry, corporate research labs, academia
Employer and industry usageUniversities, research institutesBiotech, pharma, tech companies
Common search intentAcademic research roles, faculty pathwaysIndustry research roles, R&D positions

Research Assistant Professors typically work in academic settings, focusing on research and publishing, often with a pathway toward tenure. Research Scientists are more industry-focused, working in corporate labs or biotech firms, emphasizing product development and applied research. While both roles require advanced degrees, their work environments and career paths differ significantly.

More about Research Assistant Professor jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Professor jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Research Professor jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Assistant Professor jobs in Iowa?

For Research Assistant Professor jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Assistant Professor jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Assistant Professor jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Research Assistant Professor jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Research Assistant Professor job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Research Assistant Professor jobs in IA?

For Research Assistant Professor jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Research Assistant Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Assistant Professor job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,592 per year, or $41.6 per hour.

Research Assistant Professor - Electrical and Computer Engineering

Ames, IA • On-site

Iowa State University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 5 - 10K employees

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

386th of 622 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about Iowa State Universityexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Position Title:Research Assistant Professor - Electrical and Computer EngineeringAppointment Type:FacultyJob Description:Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ece.iastate.edu), in the College of Engineering at Iowa State University, invites applications for the position of Research Assistant Professor. This is a 3-year term research faculty position that holds responsibilities primarily contributing to the research mission of the department through scholarly impact and an externally funded research program in the areas of wireless and network systems. Specifically, besides contributing to the research, education, and innovation projects led by the Center for Wireless, Communities and Innovation (wici.iastate.edu), the responsibilities include mentoring graduate and undergraduate students working on research and design projects.

Term Faculty hold limited-term, full or part-time, renewable appointments that are not eligible for tenure, but have the potential to be reviewed for advancement into senior ranks. Research faculty must secure extramural funding to fully support their research program and at least 80% but no more than 90% of their salary, with the remainder salary provided by the department.

Successful candidates will have experience that demonstrates exceptional ability or potential to produce scholarship, compete for and secure funding from external sources, and the capability for long-term leadership in their research field. They will also exhibit excellent communication skills.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

  • Ph. D. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Research experience and quality publications in advanced wireless and network systems (e.g., safety-critical wireless, URLLC, Open RAN, 6G/NextG);

  • Hands-on experience with cellular network platforms (e.g., O-RAN, srsRAN, OpenAirInterface, Aether/SD-RAN), edge/cloud computing platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenStack), SDN, and/or VNF;

  • Hands-on experience in designing, developing, deploying, and/or operating field-deployed wireless, network, and/or distributed systems;

  • Hands-on experiences in edge/cloud systems management, virtual machines/containers, Linux systems administration, shell scripting, etc;

  • Capability of building systems prototypes based on reference publications and/or open-source software;

  • Knowledge of wireless systems, networked/distributed systems, operating systems, virtualization, systems and network security;

  • Programming skills: Python, C, C++, Java, Web etc.

Department/Program & College Description:

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University is home to 60 faculty and is associated with 11 research centers and institutes, for instance, the Center for Wireless, Community and Innovation (WiCI). The department boasts 20 IEEE Fellows, over $15.4M in research expenditures (FY20), and one of the largest ECpE enrollments in the nation.

About Iowa State University and the Ames Community

Iowa State University is classified as a Carnegie Foundation Doctoral/Research University-Extensive. More than 30,000 students are enrolled and are served by over 6,200 faculty and staff. The College of Engineering consists of eight departments with annual research expenditures exceeding $105 million.

Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA, a progressive community of 66,000, located approximately 30 minutes north of Des Moines, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Midwest, and is beaming with community pride and accolades.

Iowa State University and the College of Engineering are responsive to the needs of dual-career couples and are dedicated to work-life balance through an array of flexible work policies.

Department Unit/Website:


For more information about our department's engineering programs, go to www.ece.iastate.edu.

Proposed Start Date:August 16, 2026Proposed End Date or Length of Term:May 15, 2029Number of Months Employed Per Year:09 Month Work PeriodTime Type:Full timeApplication Instructions:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications should be received by May 31st, 2026. All interested, qualified persons must apply for this position online at jobs.iastate.edu.

The following documents are required to be submitted in PDF format:

  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae

  • Letter of Application/Cover Letter that briefly discusses how the candidate meets each of the preferred qualifications

  • Contact information for at least three references, including name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and other pertinent information

  • Research statement

Inquiries regarding this position may be directed to Hongwei Zhang (hongwei@iastate.edu) or Sara K. Harris (skharris@iastate.edu).


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:March 4, 2026Posting Close Date:Job Requisition Number:R18719

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