Job Listings

Postdoctoral Scholar in Evolutionary Biology

Augustana University: Biology

Location: Sioux Falls, SD or Remote

Start
Date: June 2026 or flexible

Description

A postdoctoral scholar position is available in 2026 in the Olson-Manning Lab
at Augustana University to contribute to NSF CAREER-funded research on the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms shaping hybridization in
common and showy milkweeds (Asclepias syriaca and A. speciosa). This position is designed to be flexible and may be structured either as a
fully remote, research-focused appointment or as an in-person appointment in Sioux Falls that includes teaching opportunities

The
Olson-Manning Lab, housed in the Department of Biology at Augustana University, values diversity in all forms and is committed to fostering
a supportive, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Research in the lab focuses on gene expression and regulatory evolution in
parental milkweed species and their hybrids, with particular emphasis on co-expression network architecture. In addition to contributing to
the NSF CAREER-funded aims, the postdoctoral scholar will have the opportunity to help shape related research directions and to develop an
independent line of inquiry suited to a collaborative, undergraduate-centered environment. Applicants with backgrounds in one or more of the
following areas are especially encouraged to apply: evolutionary biology, genomics, gene expression analysis, bioinformatics, and related
fields.

For applicants based in Sioux Falls and interested in teaching, the position may include approximately 25% effort devoted to
teaching and pedagogical development. In that case, responsibilities may include co-instruction in a general biology course and development
or teaching of an upper-level course in the candidate’s area of expertise. Class sizes are typically 18–25 students, and the scholar would
receive mentoring from faculty in a department committed to effective and innovative teaching. Applicants seeking a fully remote appointment
will not be expected to teach.

The earliest start date is June 1, 2026, though a later start date is possible. The appointment is
expected to be for up to two years, contingent on successful annual review. The starting salary is $55,000/year plus full benefits.

The Biology Department at Augustana University is a diverse and welcoming community of scientists engaged in scholarship across a wide
range of biological fields. Augustana is a private, primarily undergraduate university with approximately 2,100 undergraduates and no
graduate programs in Biology. The Olson-Manning Lab includes one full-time research technician, 3–8 undergraduate research assistants, and
collaborations with scientists at research-intensive institutions in South Dakota and across the country.

For candidates considering
an in-person appointment, Augustana University is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a growing and affordable city of approximately
200,000 people. Sioux Falls has a vibrant downtown, a strong sense of community, and easy access to outdoor recreation. The city is within
driving distance of several regional universities, including the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University.

Qualifications

Required:

• PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Plant Biology, Genetics/Genomics, or a closely
  related field.

Preferred:

• Experience working with genomic or transcriptomic data, and a strong conceptual
  background in evolutionary biology.

Interacting with students, faculty and leadership with different backgrounds and points of
view and a deep appreciation of and respect for academic values and culture must be a top value of the candidate.

Application Procedure:

Applicants interested in working remotely and who reside in the following locations will be
considered for employment: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New
Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, Wisconsin, and
Wyoming. Candidates from other states will require prior approval to move forward in the process.

The position will remain open until
filled. Interested applicants are asked to submit the below application materials via our Career Center Portal. If assistance is needed
during the application process, please reach out to humanresources@augie.edu.

• One-page cover letter
• C.V.
• One relevant publication or manuscript in
  preparation
• Contact information for two references

Augustana University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action/Title IX Employer. Applicants must comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act and may be required to submit official
transcripts upon employment. Finalist candidates must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment background check.