Postdoctoral Research Associate | College of Medicine

Postdoctoral Research Associate | College of Medicine

The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University (WSU) invites you to apply for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to serve in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology.

As the incumbent, you will hold a 12-month annual, full-time, fixed-term appointment as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The position is located at the WSU Health Sciences campus in Spokane, WA. You will have an initial one (1) year contract, subject to annual extension. Renewal is subject to satisfactory performance, mutual consent and available funding.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate position is within the College of Medicine in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology and reports to Franck Carbonero, Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology.

As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you will plan and conduct experiments, perform related research leading to publication, and prepare research articles for publication. You will participate in grant writing efforts, including seeking self-funding. Additionally, you will supervise graduate and/or undergraduate research assistants in conducting research projects and academic development. You will provide some guest lectures in supervisor's courses as relevant and help with proctoring and grading tests, exams, and assignments.

Research projects are supported by three different USDA grants:

• In vitro fermentation and gut microbiome analyses of different varieties and food preparation of quinoa breeding lines and varieties.
• In vitro fermentation and gut microbiome/metabolomics/cell assays of different varieties of quinoa, pulses, buckwheat and non-traditional wheat and barley varieties.
• Human intervention trial with cranberry juice and gut microbiome/metabolome and vaginal tract microbiome analyses.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• 90% Research:
  Plan and conduct experiments and related research directed toward ultimate publication, prepare articles for publication. Participate in grant writing efforts, including seeking self-funding. Supervise graduate and/or undergraduate research assistants in conducting research projects and academic development.
• 7% Teaching:
  Provide some guest lectures in supervisor's (maybe other faculty members) courses as relevant. Help with proctoring and grading tests, exams, and assignments.
• 3% Service-Other:
  Participate in college and university committees; evaluate research proposals and grants. Other duties as assigned.

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.

Additional Information:

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

Temporary End Date:
This is a temporary position expected to end after a 1-year contract. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Annual Salary: $62,232 - $71,748 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications. This salary scale is in alignment with the Postdoctoral Research Associate NIH salary scale.

Required Qualifications:

• An earned PhD in Nutrition, Food Science, Microbiology, or other relevant discipline.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Skills in molecular biology and microbiology, especially in microbiome and/or metagenomics techniques and statistical analyses.
• Experience conducting anaerobic microbiology and/or in vitro microbial fermentation studies.
• Experience with research projects evaluating the impact of food commodities on human nutrition and health through in vitro, animal models or in vivo approaches.
• Evidence of ability to analyze, interpret and disseminate findings through peer-reviewed scientific publications (first or corresponding author) and conference oral and/or poster communications.

Position Sponsorship:
May be eligible for visa sponsorship.

Area/College:
Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine

Office/Department Name:
Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology

Location:

Spokane, WA

Application Instructions:

Screening of applications will begin on October 1, 2026.

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"…