Postdoctoral Research Associate - McLaughlin lab

Washington State University; United States; On-site; USD 695,000 - 785,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation leave

Insurance package for employees and

Retirement

Deferred compensation

Job summary

Washington State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Cannabis, Brain, & Development Lab. The position focuses on using rodents to study prenatal cannabis exposure effects on corticostriatal circuits and cognitive flexibility.

Responsibilities include behavioral tasks, surgeries, fiber photometry, and mentoring students. A background in developmental neurobiology and related imaging techniques is valued.

Qualifications

• An earned PhD in Neuroscience or a related discipline.
• Less than five years of research experience since earning doctoral degree.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; leadership potential.
• Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioral neuroscience experiments, including vapor self-administration and operant tasks.
• Perform stereotaxic surgeries and viral (AAV) injections.
• Install optic fibers for fiber photometry recordings.
• Manage a rodent breeding colony.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the lab.

Skills

Neuroscience research

Leadership

Mentoring

Written and verbal communication

In vivo calcium imaging

Cannabinoid pharmacology

Fiber photometry

Education

PhD in Neuroscience

Tools

Fiber photometry

Stereotaxic surgery

AAV viral injections

Rodent breeding

Job description

Posting Information

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on November 8, 2026. If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

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

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

• 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

Additional Information

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

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.

Eligibility / EEO

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/.

WSU is Washington's land‑grant university with campuses located in Everett, Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver. Additionally, research centers are located throughout the state, extension offices are located in every county in Washington, and online degree programs are offered worldwide. WSU employees promote academic excellence and innovative research that serves the state, nation, and world. With a focus on innovation, excellence, and accountability, continual enhancement of research and educational endeavors are at the core of WSU's strategic priorities. See here for additional information about WSU's statewide locations. View the HRS Benefits website for details on competitive benefits available.

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/.