Postdoctoral Research Associate - McLaughlin lab

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

May 4, 2026

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

Available Title(s):

306-YN_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research Associate

Business Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate - McLaughlin lab

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

12 Month

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.

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

Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position expected to end on December 31, 2027. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

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.

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.

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

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Curriculum Vitae
2) Cover Letter

• External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.

• Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

• Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

• Reference will be requested during the application process.

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.

Full time

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 hrs@wsu.edu.

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