Histopathology Intern

Neuralink•Austin, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pathology Team plays a critical role in the evaluation of both macroscopic and microscopic tissue samples derived from our preclinical studies. The team encompasses specialized units focused on Anatomic Pathology, Histology, Digital Pathology, and Laboratory Operations. As a Histopathology Intern, you will support both routine histology workflows and the development of next-generation tissue preparation and imaging techniques. In this role, you will work closely with pathologists and histology specialists to evaluate tissue-device interactions, with a primary focus on benchmarking, optimizing, and scaling novel volumetric histology pipelines such as tissue clearing and lightsheet microscopy. You will apply foundational biological and laboratory principles in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, Biology, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline
Basic understanding of anatomy, neuroanatomy, and light/fluorescence microscopy principles
Familiarity with laboratory safety standards, fume hood operation, and handling biohazardous/chemical materials
Strong written and verbal communication skills with high attention to detail

Nice To Haves

6+ months of relevant academic coursework or wet-lab experience handling biological tissues and standard histology techniques (e.g., tissue fixation, sectioning, or fluorescence imaging)
Direct hands-on experience or coursework in tissue clearing protocols and lightsheet fluorescence microscopy
Experience with 3D image analysis software or large volume rendering tools (e.g., Imaris, ImageJ/Fiji, or Python/MATLAB image processing libraries)
Exposure to medical device research and/or neuroscience applications
Proven ability to learn new laboratory equipment quickly and troubleshoot technical procedures

Responsibilities

Assist in the optimization and validation of next-generation histology workflows, specifically focusing on aqueous and solvent-based tissue clearing methods and lightsheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) for 3D tissue visualization
Help maintain, calibrate, and operate advanced optical hardware, lightsheet imaging systems, and automated histology equipment
Support routine tissue processing, embedding, sectioning (microtomy), slide preparation, and standard/special staining protocols
Document experimental protocols, image acquisition parameters, and data analysis pipelines in compliance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and laboratory SOPs
Work cross-functionally with Pathology, Preclinical, and Surgical Engineering teams to prepare tissue samples, acquire high-resolution datasets, and support study deliverables
Assist with laboratory upkeep, including reagent preparation, chemical and biohazardous waste disposal, and inventory management