Postdoctoral Research Associate

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
October 15, 2026
If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):
306-YY_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research Associate

Business Title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Employee Type:
Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Position , WSU Prosser IAREC. WSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences is looking for Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct genome assembly and bioinformatics research in Pullman, WA. Position duties include conceiving and executing greenhouse and laboratory studies, regarding, but not limited to, reference genome assembly for weed species, bioinformatic data analysis, weed biology, and phenotyping of relevant traits. Candidates should possess the skills to identify and define research problems, design approaches or hypotheses and methodology to be used, write and review protocols, design specific phases of research projects, study installation, collect and process data, plan and manage long-term studies, analyze results, develop conclusions and hypotheses, and publish research results. Research often involves the use of herbicides, but it is multidisciplinary and often applies principles of plant breeding, genetics, genomics, plant physiology, and plant ecology. The incumbent is expected to supervise undergraduate and graduate students in sample preparation and analysis, present research at conferences, grower and industry meetings, field tours, and Washington State University events.

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. For information or questions about Benefits, please contact HRS Benefits at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Additional Information:

Annual Salary: $62,232 to $66,500 | 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.

This is a full time (100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible

Appointment Duration: This is a temporary position with an anticipated start date of November 1, 2026, and an end date of October 31, 2027. This is a 12-month appointment with a flexible start date based on departmental and finalist needs. Renewal is dependent upon the need for an extension and/or the availability of additional funding to support continued employment.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Weed Science, bioinformatics, plant biotechnology, plant biology or related field of study.
• Hands-on experience extracting nuclear DNA, genomic DNA, and high molecular weight DNA in plant species.
• Hands-on experience with gene expression analysis, co-expression analysis, de-novo assembly, read alignments, whole genome polymorphism calling, and population genomics.
• Must be proficient in R, BASH, Python, Java, and/or Perl programming languages.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals commensurate with career level. Knowledge of pangenome development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience with diversity and ability to work well in a multi-cultural team setting.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus -

Area/College : College of Agricultural, Human, Natural, Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
Department Name: Crop and Soil
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.

1) Resume
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.

All candidates, 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.

Contact: For questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact Christine Cromar, View email address on click.appcast.io /View phone number on click.appcast.io .

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.

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). Information regarding the Union and the CBA is available on the WSU Labor Relations website.

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: View phone number on click.appcast.io (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: View phone number on click.appcast.io; TDD Callers: View phone number on click.appcast.io, View phone number on click.appcast.io(f), or View email address on click.appcast.io.

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