Research Associate

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

November 16, 2026

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

Available Title(s):

305-YN_FACULTY - Research Associate

Business Title:

Research Associate

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)9 Month

The Opportunity:

The Institute of Biological Chemistry (IBC) College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University (WSU) invites applications for a full-time, nine-month Research Associate appointment in Pullman, WA, with a specialty in Evaluation and certification of heat resilience in wheat.

Job duties: 

90% research and 10% administration. Design and production of Greengate modules and constructs; design and production of CRISPR-Cas9 gene knockouts; production of transgenic plats; genotyping and phenotyping of mutants and transgenic plants; production of recombinant proteins; protein-protein interaction assays; operation of liquid handling robot; confocal microscopy; image analysis; data analysis and writing manuscripts; mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students; managing laboratory.

Annual Salary: $50,000 - $55,000, Commensurate with experience and qualifications

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. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range.

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:

• PhD degree in genetics.
• Very strong expertise in genetics and cell biology with relevance to plant systems.
• Extensive expertise in Greengate cloning system including construct design, production of modules, and assembly; CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing; production of transgenic plants; genotyping; protein production; protein-protein interaction assays; and liquid handling robotics.
• Skills in preparation and characterization of antibodies, protein expression, molecular biology, and biochemistry.
• Strong publication record in the relevant to the position areas.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Skills in light microscopy and image analysis.
• Experience with lab organizational and management.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus -WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

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.

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, HUMAN, AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES (CAHNRS):

CAHNRS at Washington State University is an expansive and diverse college that includes 13 academic units, three extension program units, four research and extension centers distributed across the state, 18 subject matter centers, and one tribal and 39 county extension offices. CAHNRS fosters disciplines that serve at the interface of scientific discovery and its application to the advancement of society and improvement of the human experience. Our mission is to provide global leadership in discovering, accessing, and disseminating knowledge that contributes to producing a safe, abundant food and fiber supply; promotes the well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhances sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; and promotes stewardship of natural resources and ecological systems. CAHNRS personnel embrace the opportunity to fulfill the university’s land-grant mission by making groundbreaking research discoveries, by delivering relevant, progressive extension programs that synergistically generate outcomes that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Washington State, as well as for people around the globe. For more information, visit http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.

INSTITUTE of BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

The Institute of Biological Chemistry’s mission is to discover the mechanisms underlying plant form and function, from molecules to whole organisms; translate scientific discoveries into innovations for sustainable foods, chemicals, and fuels; and mentor the next generation of scientists and leaders. Institute of Biological Chemistry | Washington State University

WSU acknowledges that its locations statewide are on the homelands of Native American peoples, who have lived in this region and have been caretakers of the land from time immemorial. The Morrill Act of 1862 established our land-grant institution by providing public and federal lands that are traced back to the disposition of Indigenous lands, often taken by coercive and violent acts, and the disregard of treaties. For that, we extend our deepest apologies. We owe our deepest gratitude to the Native peoples of this region and maintain our commitment towards reconciliation. And as a land-grant institution, WSU is deeply committed to the land-grant mission, its Memorandums of Understanding with Native tribes in the region, and a tradition of service to society. To read the full WSU land acknowledgement, please see https://wsu.edu/about/wsu-land-acknowledgement/.

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 (CV)
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.

Inquiries should be directed to Jacqueline McCabe, [email protected]. 

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 [email protected].

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/