Research Associate - In Vivo Biosensor Development
About The Position
Merge Labs is a frontier research lab focused on bridging biological and artificial intelligence through brain-computer interfaces designed to interact with the brain at high bandwidth and be safe and accessible. Its Bio team develops and characterizes biotechnologies for next-generation brain-computer interfaces, combining molecular engineering, synthetic biology, neuroscience, and physical methods such as ultrasound. The team validates molecular technologies in vitro and in vivo, demonstrates capabilities in animal models, and collaborates with engineers and data scientists. The Research Associate will join a multidisciplinary team developing and optimizing molecular biosensors for BCI technologies. The role involves designing and executing in vivo imaging experiments in rodents, using ultrasound-based and molecular tools to optimize biosensor delivery and functional expression, characterize biological effects, and benchmark performance in neuroscience paradigms. The associate will develop protocols and generate rigorous, reproducible data to inform scientific decisions and technical strategy, working closely with molecular engineers, cell biologists, ultrasound experts, in vivo researchers, and physical engineers.
Requirements
- BS, BA, or MS in Neuroscience, Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field.
- Hands-on experience executing in vivo brain imaging experiments in model organisms, such as mice, including sensory or behavioral experiments with simultaneous imaging and/or stimulation.
- Strong attention to detail, comfort with rigorous protocols, and high standards for documentation and data integrity.
- A collaborative and organized approach to experimental work and cross-team communication.
- Prior experience in an academic or industry research laboratory conducting in vivo systems neuroscience work.
- Strong interest and motivation to learn about in vivo ultrasound imaging.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with in vivo ultrasound imaging.
- Experience with behaving animals, such as head-fixed behavior, habituation or training, or behavioral tracking during imaging.
- Experience with cranial window preparation or maintenance, stereotaxic procedures, or other neurosurgical workflows relevant to imaging.
- Familiarity with imaging data quality-control or processing workflows and basic scripting or analysis tools such as Python or MATLAB for sanity checks.
- Experience with ex vivo methods such as IHC, RT-qPCR, or FISH.
- Broader knowledge and experience in systems neuroscience.
Responsibilities
- Execute in vivo ultrasound imaging experiments, including handling experimental animals; imaging setup, calibration and alignment; session execution; experimental coordination; and data quality control, organization, and handoff to analysis partners.
- Collaborate with scientists and engineers to improve and execute in vivo rodent validation pipelines for molecular biosensors, including surgical workflows, ultrasound imaging setup, sensory and behavioral paradigms, and ex vivo characterization.
- Design and perform in vivo experiments to benchmark biosensor functional performance in physiologically relevant neuroscience contexts.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records, inventories, and shared resources, including imaging hardware, surgical supplies, consumables, and protocols.
- Learn new techniques and contribute to method development as the in vivo imaging program grows.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
