Postdoctoral Research Associate - McLaughlin lab

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

• 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,
• Optic fiber implants for fiber photometry recordings,
• Managing a rodent breeding colony.

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.

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.

About Department/College/Area/Campus

About Department/College/Area/Campus

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.

• Curriculum Vitae
• 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.

All candidates, 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.

Contact: For questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact Laura Kinslow, kinslow@wsu.edu / 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.

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).

Notice of Non-Discrimination

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.