Postdoctoral Research Associate

Available Title(s):

306-YN_FACULTY – Postdoctoral Research Associate

Business Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

The Department of Microbiology and Pathology (VMP) within the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Dr. Dana Shaw’s laboratory. Research in the Shaw Lab at Washington State University is broadly focused on tick-transmitted diseases. Ticks are fascinating arthropods that transmit a variety of microbes that cause significant morbidity world wide. These exclusive blood-feeders spread disease to animals and humans when an infected tick takes a meal from an uninfected host. Interestingly, many tick-transmitted microbes only cause disease in some hosts, exhibiting what is termed “contextual pathogenicity”. Our lab is focused on understanding the biology of ticks as disease vectors and the molecular details of these arthropod-pathogen interactions. The successful applicant will join a dedicated team focused on research, service and scholarship.

Summary of Duties:

• Presenting the research through poster/oral presentation and peer-reviewed publication.

• Designing, carrying out, and troubleshooting experiments.

• Coordinate, manage, and maintain daily lab operations.

• Oversee quality control, make suggestions for improvement in techniques and interpretation.

• Supervise and train undergraduate and graduate trainees.

• Perform other duties as required.

• Demonstrating commitment to promoting diversity in the workplace.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Science, Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology or a related field.

• Experience with molecular biology, microbiology, cell culture.

• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Excellent computer skills, especially with GraphPad Prism, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, ImageJ/FIJI.

• The ability to problem-solve and learn new experimental techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with vector-borne pathogens and/or intracellular bacterial pathogens.

• Experience with proximity-based protein labelling techniques.

• Experience with AlphaFold, Chimerax, and/or R programming.

• No more than one year of post-doc experience.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

College of Veterinary Medicine

Department Name:

Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology

City, State, Zip:

Pullman, WA 99163

Department Link:

https://www.shawlab.org/

https://vetmed.wsu.edu/departments/veterinary-microbiology-and-pathology/

Annual Salary:

$54,000 – $60,000

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 or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

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 and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf .

Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/ .

Overtime Eligibility:

Overtime eligible

FTE: 100%

This is a temporary, non-tenure-track position.

Temporary End Date:

This is a temporary position expected to end on June 30, 2025. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Posting Close Date:

Applicants must submit their completed application by Sunday, March 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

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.

Application Instructions:

All applicants must upload a cover letter and resume/cv to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications.

• External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application. Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application. 

• All documents must be attached before submitting the application. The application cannot be edited once submitted.

• Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files.

• Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible.

• Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application.

Required Documents:

• Resume

• Statement of Interest describing experience and goals

• Contact Information for 3 references (email and/or phone numbers)

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

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 [email protected] .