Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Opportunity: The School of Food Science at Washington State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate specializing in Food Safety, Microbiology with Data Science Applications. This position offers a unique opportunity to conduct applied research addressing pressing real-world food safety challenges in collaboration with industry partners.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic team investigating microbial contamination, intervention strategies, and risk reduction across diverse food systems. The position also offers opportunities to apply advanced data analysis and computational tools to derive novel insights from microbiological data, while collaborating with leading food companies and regulatory agencies to translate research findings into practical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead interdisciplinary food safety studies on pathogenic bacteria using microbiological and molecular approaches, with opportunities to incorporate engineering based solutions and data-driven tools.

• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and contribute to grant proposals.

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in laboratory research, experimental design, and data analysis.

• 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.

Additional Information:

• Annual Salary: $62,232 - $65,000 | 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.

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

• Appointment Duration: This is a temporary position expected to start on January 1, 2027, and end on December 31, 2027. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

• Postdoctoral

Requirements

• For detailed information on eligibility for postdoctoral appointments, please visit: WSU/UAW Postdoctoral Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Food Microbiology, Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with or strong interest in data analysis, programming, or predictive modeling.

• Microbiological laboratory skills, with experience in microbiome research and/or sequencing based approaches.

• Evidence of peer-reviewed publications and strong scientific writing and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.

• Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus:

• Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
• Department Name: School of Food Science
• 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.

• Note: Background checks may be required for this position.

• Union Representation: This position is represented exclusively by Postdocs United/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.

• 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.

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• More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/