Postdoctoral Research Associate - McLaughlin lab

Washington State University • Pullman, WA

2d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Conducting behavioral neuroscience experiments—including vapor self-administration and operant conditioning tasks (such as attentional set-shifting and reversal learning)
• Performing stereotaxic surgeries
• Performing viral (AAV) injections
• Performing optic fiber implants for fiber photometry recordings
• Managing a rodent breeding colony
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees