KS

Fellow (Post Doc)

Kansas State University Research and Science Full-timeManhattan, KS $48,000 - $53,000 a year
Posted Sep 11, 2026 · Expires Oct 6, 2026

Quick facts

Pay
$48,000 - $53,000 a year
Type
Full-time
Location
Manhattan, KS
Background
PhD
Industry
Research and Science — 76 open jobs
Apply
Free to apply — never pay anyone for a job offer or visa sponsorship

Job description

This postdoctoral research associate will lead independent and coordinate collaborative research to identify long-term dynamics of fish communities in river and reservoir ecosystems. This 2-year position is part of two projects funded by the US Bureau of Reclamation and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

  • 522206
  • Manhattan, Kansas, United States
  • Biology
  • Temporary Full-time
  • Closing at: Sep 18 2026 - 23:55 CDT
  • On-site

This postdoctoral research associate will lead independent and coordinate collaborative research to identify long-term dynamics of fish communities in river and reservoir ecosystems. This 2-year position is part of two projects funded by the US Bureau of Reclamation and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

About Us

The Division of Biology at Kansas State University is composed of a dynamic group of tenure-track, research, and instructional faculty, as well as a large number of postdoctoral research associates, graduate students, and support staff. All of these individuals are essential to accomplish the Division of Biology’s mission, to generate and disseminate high-quality biological scientific knowledge through teaching, research, service, and outreach. The research, teaching, and service interests of these individuals, spanning all areas of biological research, teaching and training at the postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate levels, as well as service and outreach contributions to the broader scientific community and the public.

Worksite Description

This position is On-site. N/A

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Completed a PhD degree in Fisheries Biology or a related field. The degree requirement is necessary to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.
  • Strong quantitative skills, including experience with large multivariate datasets.
  • Strong oral communication skills, as demonstrated by maturity and emotional intelligence during interactions with individuals with diverse backgrounds and goals.
  • Strong written communication skills, including a record of completing manuscripts in a timely fashion.
  • Ability to conduct productive work both independently and as part of a collaborative team, including state and federal agency biologists.
  • Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with and understanding of fish ecology and management.
  • Ability to bring creativity and novel perspective to bear on the broad research topic.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

  • Apply online

Application Window

Applications close on: September 18, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$48,000 - $53,000

Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship:

Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Remote and Hybrid work options:

Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.

Relocation to Kansas:

Kansas participates in the MakeMyMove program, which connects eligible newcomers with participating communities offering financial incentives, housing support, and local perks to help make your move easier and more rewarding. If relocating from outside of Kansas you can visit the site to apply online for the program incentives.

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

  • Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.

Visa sponsorship record: Kansas State University

Sponsors actively
113H-1B labor applications (LCA)98% certified
114H-1B petitions approved by USCISapproval rate 100% · 76 new
11Green card filings (PERM)11 certified
$60kMedian H-1B salaryfrom LCA filings
Fiscal yearH-1B LCAsUSCIS approvalsUSCIS denialsPERM
FY202654370—
FY20254738011
FY202412390—

✔ Kansas State University filed 3 H-1B applications for this kind of role (Soil And Plant Scientists) in the period above.

Roles they sponsor most

  • assistant professor6 LCAs · median $59k
  • assistant professor4 LCAs · median $72k
  • assistant professor4 LCAs · median $51k
  • clinical assistant professor4 LCAs · median $73k
  • assistant professor3 LCAs · median $44k

Full sponsorship history of Kansas State University →

Which visas can work for this job

Occupation: Soil And Plant Scientists (SOC 19-1013).

  • H-1B cap-exempt employer

    Likely cap-exempt (university, affiliated hospital or nonprofit research body): H-1B can be filed any time of year, with no lottery. Confirm with HR.

  • TN (citizens of Canada and Mexico)

    This kind of role may fit the USMCA profession “Scientist (Biologist, Biochemist and others)” — it depends on the actual duties. No lottery, no cap; you need the matching degree or license.

  • E-3 (Australia) and H-1B1 (Chile, Singapore)

    Same degree requirement as H-1B, but no lottery and a separate quota that is rarely filled.

  • O-1 (extraordinary ability)

    For candidates with awards, publications, press, a high salary or critical roles at distinguished organizations. No cap, no lottery; the employer files a petition.

  • STEM OPT extension (F-1 students)

    Requires an E-Verify employer. We didn't find this company in the E-Verify list — ask HR.

  • Green card (EB-2 / EB-3 via PERM)

    Filed 11 PERM labor certifications: they have a track record of sponsoring permanent residence.

Salary vs prevailing wage

Below Level I

Soil And Plant Scientists · Manhattan, KS. Annual prevailing wages set by the Department of Labor (OFLC).

L1L2L3L4
LevelPrevailing wageH-1B lottery odds*
Level I$51,314~15%
Level II$58,573~31%
Level III$65,853~46%
Level IV$73,112~61%

This job pays $48,000–$53,000 a year — below the Level I prevailing wage. For H-1B the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage, so the offer would have to go up.

* Odds are DHS projections for the FY2027 wage-weighted lottery (actual results vary by year and employer). Since the FY2027 cap season the H-1B lottery is weighted by wage level: Level I = 1 entry, II = 2, III = 3, IV = 4. The level is set by the offered wage against the prevailing wage for the occupation and worksite. Separately, a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions for workers outside the US was announced in 2025; as of September 2026 a federal court ruling keeps it unenforceable while appeals continue — check the current status.

Sources: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC disclosure data (H-1B/H-1B1/E-3 LCA, PERM), OFLC prevailing wage data, USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub, E-Verify participating employers. Data loaded: LCA FY2024–FY2026, PERM, USCIS Data Hub, OFLC wages; updated 2026-10-03. Employers are matched by name, so records of companies with similar names can occasionally be mixed up. This is general information, not legal advice — talk to an immigration attorney about your case.