Large Animal Neuroscience Lead

Subsense•Mountain View, CA

10d•$170,000 - $190,000•Onsite

About The Position

Subsense is hiring a Large Animal Neuroscience Lead to transition its nanoparticle-based neurotechnology platform from rodent studies to large animals. This hands-on scientific leadership role focuses initially on rapid, rigorous, acute, non-GLP proof-of-concept studies to establish nanoparticle delivery, neural target engagement, and system performance. The lead will conduct pig neuroscience experiments, manage CRO partnerships, and lead a team of 3–4 scientists and research staff. The role works across nanoscience, hardware, software, data science, and R&D leadership to adapt research hardware, evaluate intranasal administration, and translate experimental results into development decisions. Work takes place across laboratories in Palo Alto and Mountain View, with on-site work at study facilities and travel to CRO and partner sites as needed.

Requirements

PhD in neuroscience, neuroengineering, biomedical engineering, or a related field; alternatively, an MD, DVM, or other suitable advanced degree with substantial relevant research experience.
Track record of independently designing and executing in-vivo neuroscience studies, with substantial hands-on experience in pigs and other large animals.
Practical experience with large-animal neurophysiology, stereotactic procedures, and neural recording or stimulation, including confidence troubleshooting during live experiments.
Strong experimental-design and quantitative-analysis skills, including appropriate controls, artifact identification, and interpretation of electrophysiological data.
Experience managing CROs or comparable external research partners, including study planning, execution oversight, and evaluation of deliverables.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a small research team while remaining actively involved in experiments.
Experience working with veterinary teams and institutional animal-care and use processes, with a strong commitment to animal welfare and data integrity.
Ability to collaborate across neuroscience, nanoscience, and engineering and deliver well-documented results in a fast-paced, early-stage environment.
U.S.-based and able to work on-site at study facilities and travel to CRO and partner sites as needed.
Clear written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate methods, results, and limitations to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Nice To Haves

Experience with intranasal or nose-to-brain delivery, nanoparticle biodistribution, or quantitative tissue-localization methods.
Experience in deep brain stimulation, movement-disorder neuroscience, or other neuromodulation technologies, including optical or magnetic approaches.
Experience with MRI/CT-guided targeting, histology, or electrophysiology analysis in Python or MATLAB.
Experience translating rodent methods or neurotechnology prototypes to large animals, or connecting non-GLP feasibility work to later regulated preclinical development.

Responsibilities

Design and execute acute, non-GLP pig neuroscience studies, defining controls, endpoints, and success criteria for nanoparticle delivery, activation, and neural response.
Work hands-on in the operating room on stereotactic targeting, experimental instrumentation, stimulation, and electrophysiological recordings alongside veterinary and surgical teams.
Lead a 3–4-person team of scientists and research staff by setting priorities, coordinating study days, and providing practical training, mentorship, and performance feedback.
Select and manage CROs and academic partners, including study scopes, protocols, budgets, timelines, on-site execution, and data quality.
Translate rodent methods into large-animal workflows and collaborate with hardware engineers on prototype requirements, positioning, calibration, synchronization, and troubleshooting.
Establish reliable neural readouts and analysis workflows that distinguish biological responses from stimulation artifacts and physiological confounds.
Coordinate animal-use protocols, training, humane endpoints, and study documentation with IACUCs and veterinary teams.
Connect physiology with imaging, particle-localization measurements, and tissue analysis to assess target engagement and acute tissue effects.
Deliver clear study reports and reproducible datasets to support technical decisions, development milestones, and investor diligence.