Research Scientist, Data Analysis

Convergent Research • San Francisco, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Arbor Neuroscience (formerly Forest Neurotech) is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to solving complex challenges in clinical neuroscience, specifically focusing on changing brain circuits by design. Millions of individuals suffer from conditions like depression and chronic pain for which current treatments are ineffective. While modulating brain circuits through methods like electrical stimulation, focused ultrasound, or magnetic stimulation shows promise, its reliability and predictability are lacking. Arbor aims to address this by pioneering a new experimental approach: intervening, measuring circuit responses, tracking symptoms, and repeating these steps over extended periods within the same individual. The organization is developing the necessary experimental platform, which includes the Forest 1 ultrasound system, capable of imaging brain activity across large volumes, including deep structures, with high resolution, and will soon incorporate stimulation capabilities. Additionally, electrode-based interfaces are being integrated into animal studies. The ultimate goal is to leverage this data to build predictive models for neuromodulation. Arbor operates as a Focused Research Organization within the Convergent Research family and is committed to multidisciplinary translational work that falls outside traditional research or corporate roadmaps. With initial funding secured, the organization is seeking individuals who will play a pivotal role in shaping its future.

Requirements

• A strong quantitative background: a PhD, or comparable training in an equally demanding environment such as industry
• Real depth in several of: signal processing, statistics and inference, machine learning, medical or brain imaging analysis, control theory, computational neuroscience
• Strong coding skills
• A significant body of independent work you can point to
• The judgment to tell a problem that can be solved with standard statistical methods from one that requires a more sophisticated approach – and the discipline to prefer the simpler answer
• A self-starter with the skills and instinct to find the shortest effective path to the scientific goal, rather than the most interesting one
• Directness without friction – you say what you think, ask when you don't know, and aren't looking to compete with your colleagues

Nice To Haves

• experience in a professional software development environment
• a public record of algorithm or code development on GitHub or similar
• experience with ultrasound, neural, or medical imaging data
• prior work in a research setting where you had to build the tooling yourself
• You don't need a neuroscience background. You do need to want one.

Responsibilities

• Own analysis of Arbor's experimental data, including functional ultrasound imaging and electrophysiology, along with the tooling that supports it
• Work with the experimental team from study design through interpretation, so we answer the highest-priority questions
• Develop image processing tools: registration and alignment, artifact handling, and whatever else the data demands
• Help design algorithms for intervention optimization and adaptive experiment design
• Develop online and real-time analysis methods to support closed-loop experiments
• Build methods for integrating data across modalities and scales
• Contribute to high-level scientific decisions about where the organization is going

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision – most plans fully covered for you and your dependents
• 401(k) with up to 6% match
• Company-paid life and AD&D, with voluntary supplemental options
• 15 holidays plus a floating day for your birthday
• 3 weeks PTO increasing with tenure, and separate sick leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree