A Generative Artificial Intelligence Engineer develops, designs, and manages generative models and algorithms that support the generation of new content in the form of images, text, audio, and other multimedia. They utilize GPTs, GANs, VAEs, and other deep learning architectures to craft systems capable of generating data. May work with data scientists, machine learning engineers, and software developers.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Translational AI Center (TrAC)
Appointment Type:
Post Doc/Trainee Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Translational AI Center (TrAC) at Iowa State University seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance uncertainty quantification for large language models and agentic AI systems. The successful candidate will develop large-scale, trustworthy agentic AI frameworks for agricultural security applications, with an emphasis on detecting, understanding, and responding to biological threats. The position will involve close collaboration with interdisciplinary teams spanning artificial intelligence, engineering, agriculture, plant and animal sciences, and cybersecurity. The scholar will also contribute to TrAC's education and workforce development mission by developing and delivering AI workshops, tutorials, and microcredential programs. Expected activities include publishing high-impact research, mentoring graduate students, contributing to research proposals, and supporting the development of externally funded, multi-institutional projects.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related field by the start date of employment. Demonstrated research experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or a related area. Demonstrated research experience with large language models, generative AI, agentic AI, or related foundation model technologies. Strong programming skills in Python and experience with modern machine learning frameworks.
Preferred Qualifications:
Research experience in uncertainty quantification, model calibration, confidence estimation, hallucination detection, or reliability assessment for large language models and agentic AI systems. Experience designing and developing multi-agent systems, tool-using AI agents, retrieval-augmented generation systems, or autonomous reasoning and planning workflows. Experience applying artificial intelligence to agricultural systems, biosecurity, biological threat detection, plant health, animal health, or other scientific domains. Experience developing and delivering AI workshops, tutorials, short courses, professional development programs, or microcredentials. Experience mentoring graduate or undergraduate students in research settings. Experience contributing to federal research proposals, sponsored research applications, and collaborative project reports. Familiarity with scalable computing environments, cloud platforms, high-performance computing, distributed AI systems, or large-scale data pipelines. Evidence of open-source software development, reproducible research practices, and successful interdisciplinary collaboration. Demonstrated record of scholarly productivity, including publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.
Department/Program & College Description:
The Translational AI Center (TrAC) at Iowa State University is a multidisciplinary research and education center dedicated to developing artificial intelligence solutions for real-world challenges. TrAC brings together faculty, researchers, and students from across Iowa State University's colleges to advance innovative AI technologies and accelerate their translation into impactful applications across agriculture, engineering, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and other sectors. The center fosters collaborative, interdisciplinary research while emphasizing trustworthy, scalable, and socially responsible AI solutions.
Department Unit/Website:
Translational AI Center -
TrAC 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, 2026
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12
Month Work Period Time Type:
Full time
Pay Grade:
Post Docs Original Posting Date:
July 20, 2026
Posting Close Date:
July 27, 2026
Job Requisition Number:
R19630 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 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. Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub. By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University 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. 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 eooffice@iastate.edu. If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu 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 employment@iastate.edu 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 website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
