Postdoctoral Research Associate - McLaughlin lab

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State University in Pullman, WA invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Cannabis, Brain, & Development Lab. You will conduct behavioral neuroscience experiments with rats, including vapor self-administration and set-shifting tasks, and perform surgeries and fiber photometry work.

The role emphasizes leadership, mentoring students, and managing a rodent colony, with a 12‑month term starting June 1, 2026, ending December 31, 2027, and a salary range of

Qualifications

• Earned PhD in Neuroscience or related discipline.
• Strong written and oral communication; record of accomplishments; fewer than five years since PhD.
• Leadership and mentoring students in a lab setting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioral neuroscience experiments, including vapor self-administration and attentional set-shifting tasks.
• Perform stereotaxic surgeries and viral injections for research.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the lab.
• Manage a rodent breeding colony.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Neuroscience or related field

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

September 7, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s)

306-YY_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research Associate

Business Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate - McLaughlin lab

Employee Type

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Term

12 Month

Position Details

The Opportunity

The Department of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (IPN) at Washington State University (WSU) invites you to apply for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Cannabis, Brain, & Development (CBD) Lab, located in Dr. Ryan McLaughlin’s lab.

As the incumbent, you will apply a multidisciplinary approach with rats to examine the long-term effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on corticostriatal circuit function and cognitive flexibility. Responsibilities include conducting behavioral neuroscience experiments—including vapor self-administration and operant conditioning tasks (such as attentional set-shifting and reversal learning)—performing stereotaxic surgeries, viral (AAV) injections, and optic fiber implants for fiber photometry recordings, and managing a rodent breeding colony. Preference will be given to candidates with a background in developmental neurobiology, cannabinoid pharmacology, and in vivo calcium imaging (fiber photometry). You should have experience or a strong desire to learn ex vivo electrophysiology. The postdoctoral researcher is also expected to demonstrate leadership within the lab, including mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Benefits

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Faculty and Total Compensation. For information or questions about Benefits, please contact HRS Benefits at 509-335-4521.

Monthly Salary

$5,186 - $5,862 | Commensurate with experience and education

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

This is a full-time (100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible.

Appointment Duration

This is a temporary position expected to start on June 1, 2026 and end on December 31, 2027. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Postdoctoral Requirements

For detailed information on eligibility for postdoctoral appointments, please visit: WSU/UAW Postdoctoral Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Required Qualifications

• An earned PhD in Neuroscience or other relevant discipline.
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrate a record of accomplishments, and have less than five years of research experience since earning their doctoral degree.
• Leadership skills and an interest in mentoring students are required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will be given to candidates with a background in developmental neurobiology, cannabinoid pharmacology, and in vivo calcium imaging (fiber photometry).
• Candidates should have experience or a strong desire to learn ex vivo electrophysiology.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus

https://vetmed.wsu.edu/our-team/wsu-profile/ryan.mclaughlin/

Area/College

College of Veterinary Medicine

Department Name

Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience

Location

Pullman, Washington

Contact

For questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact Laura Kinslow, [e-mail] / 509-335-2415.

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Union Representation

This position is represented exclusively by Postdocs United/United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Information regarding the Union and the CBA is available on the WSU Labor Relations website.

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/