Research Associate - Neurobiology (In Vivo Imaging)

Merge Labs • San Francisco, CA

2d • $95,000 - $120,000

About The Position

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab with the mission of bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability, agency and experience. We’re pursuing this goal by developing fundamentally new approaches to brain-computer interfaces that interact with the brain at high bandwidth, integrate with advanced AI, and are ultimately safe and accessible for anyone to use.

Our Bio team designs, builds, and characterizes the biotechnologies that form the foundation of next-generation brain-computer interfaces. We combine molecular engineering, synthetic biology, neuroscience and advanced physical methods such as ultrasound to establish less invasive, high-bandwidth connections with neurons. The Bio team develops our core molecular technologies, validates their performance in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrates their advanced capabilities in animal models. We build custom experimental setups and pipelines and collaborate closely with engineers and data scientists. We work across disciplines to come up with creative ideas and solve some of the most challenging problems in biotechnology.

As a Neurobiology Research Associate, you’ll join a multidisciplinary group advancing core in vivo neuroscience research at Merge. This role focuses on developing and executing on in vivo imaging experiments in rodents using advanced light- and ultrasound- based tools, genetically encoded indicators, and effectors. You will develop protocols and generate document, rigorous, and reproducible data that inform scientific decisions and technical strategy. You will work closely with other technical staff to close the loop of engineering, experimental execution, and data analysis.

Requirements

• A BS, BA, or MS in Neuroscience, Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience executing in vivo brain imaging experiments in model organisms (e.g., mouse) and producing reproducible imaging datasets.
• Strong attention to detail, comfort with rigorous protocols, and a high bar for documentation and data integrity.
• A collaborative, organized approach to experimental work and cross‑team communication.
• Prior experience in an academic or industry research lab doing in vivo neuroscience work.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with behaving animals (e.g., head‑fixed behavior, habituation/training, or behavioral tracking during imaging).
• Experience with cranial window prep/maintenance, stereotaxic procedures, or other neurosurgical workflows relevant to imaging.
• Familiarity with imaging data QC/processing workflows and basic scripting or analysis tooling (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for sanity checks.

Responsibilities

• Execute in vivo imaging experiments, including: Handling of trained experimental animals, Imaging setup, calibration/alignment, and session execution, Experimental coordination (timing, scheduling, readiness checks, dependencies), Data QC, organization, and handoff to analysis partners
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to refine protocols, controls, and success criteria for imaging sessions.
• Maintain accurate lab records, inventories, and shared resources (imaging hardware, surgical supplies, consumables, protocols).
• Troubleshoot common issues in in vivo imaging experiments (motion, stability, signal quality, expression variability, alignment).
• Learn new techniques and contribute to method development as the in vivo imaging program grows.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree