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)
• Position 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.

We seek applicants who would be conducting research; obtaining grants; develop and maintain an extramurally funded research program.

Job duties

95% research and 5% administration. Performing greenhouse and field trials of heat resilience of wheat reproductive stages; design, manufacturing, and servicing of portable heat stress application tents; sampling plant material including vegetative and reproductive organs, performing electron and scanning electron microscopy; performing cryosectioning of plant tissues; immunocytochemistry; image analysis; data analysis and writing manuscripts; mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.

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 plant sciences.
• Very strong experience in plant stress biology.
• Extensive expertise in the following areas: design, development of infrastructure, running, data collection, and data analysis of the field trials on characterization of wheat reproductive system under different environmental conditions; transmission and scanning electron microscopy including high-pressure freezing and freeze-substitution; cryosectioning; immunocytochemistry; light microscopy; image analysis.
• Strong publication record in the relevant to the position areas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Skills in preparation and characterization of antibodies.
• Experience with protein expression, molecular biology, and biochemistry.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Area/College: Institute of Biological Chemistry

Department Name: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

Location: Pullman WA.

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.

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• 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 contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

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.

Time Type: 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.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

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.