Large Animal Neuroscience Lead

Subsense•Mountain View, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Subsense is seeking a Large Animal Neuroscience Lead to transition its nanoparticle-based neurotechnology platform from rodents to large animals. This hands-on scientific leadership role will focus initially on rapid, rigorous, acute, non-GLP proof-of-concept studies to establish nanoparticle delivery, neural target engagement, and system performance. The position involves conducting pig neuroscience experiments, managing CRO partnerships, and leading a 3–4-person team. The Lead will collaborate with nanoscience, hardware, software, data science, and R&D teams to adapt research hardware, evaluate intranasal administration, and translate experimental results into development decisions. The role combines experimental design and execution with team leadership, partner management, and cross-disciplinary technical work. It includes hands-on operating-room work alongside veterinary and surgical teams, development of neural readouts and analysis workflows, coordination of animal-care requirements, and integration of physiology with imaging, particle-localization measurements, and tissue analysis. The Lead will deliver clear study reports and reproducible datasets to support technical decisions, development milestones, and investor diligence. The position is based in the United States and requires on-site work at study facilities and travel to CRO and partner sites as needed. Work takes place across labs in Palo Alto and Mountain View. Compensation is $170,000–$190,000 per year, with equity and comprehensive benefits.

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, with the ability 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

Intranasal or nose-to-brain delivery, nanoparticle biodistribution, or quantitative tissue-localization methods.
Deep brain stimulation, movement-disorder neuroscience, or other neuromodulation technologies, including optical or magnetic approaches.
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 to distinguish 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 group of scientists and research staff, setting priorities, coordinating study days, and providing training, mentorship, and performance feedback.
Select and manage CROs and academic partners, overseeing 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, distinguishing 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 that support technical decisions, development milestones, and investor diligence.