Research Scientist/Engineer, Deep Brain Two Photon Imaging and Optogenetics

Astera Institute•Emerybille, CA

About The Position

Astera Neuro is seeking a PhD-level scientist/engineer to join its neuroscience team. The role focuses on reading, writing, and perturbing cognition in the primate brain at single-cell resolution. The initiative aims to decode how neural activity patterns translate into thoughts, perceptions, and memories, operating under the hypothesis of a compositional brain architecture. The goal is to advance neuroscience from observation to engineering by interacting with neural circuits at scale. The primary assignment involves developing and optimizing an optical implant for high-resolution two-photon imaging and optogenetics deep within the brain, targeting structures millimeters below the surface. This includes optimizing optics (GRIN lenses, microprisms, micro-objectives), refining the surgical implantation procedure, and integrating with a two-photon holographic microscope. The work encompasses optical engineering, systems neuroscience, and cognitive neuroscience, requiring an experimentalist capable of end-to-end project management, from system design to data analysis and publication.

Requirements

PhD with 0-4 years of experience in neuroscience, bioengineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent research experience.
Hands-on rodent and/or primate survival surgery experience; stereotaxic injections.
Hands-on experience with in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and/or holographic (SLM-based) optogenetics in rodents or primates.
Practical experience with two-photon systems: optical alignment, system characterization, and in vivo use.
Proficiency in scientific computing for neural-data analysis; Python and/or MATLAB, with Suite2p, CaImAn, or comparable pipelines.

Nice To Haves

ZEMAX modeling
Experience with ultrafast pulsed lasers (Ti:Sapphire, fiber) and nonlinear optics.
Two-photon optogenetics (SLM-based holography, temporal focusing, or spiral-scanning photostimulation); soma-targeted opsins such as ChRmine.
Prior systems neuroscience research in cortex, working memory, decision-making, or motor/premotor circuits.

Responsibilities

Design and iterate GRIN lens and/or microprism assembly for deep brain imaging in the primate brain, with early optimization in rodents.
Develop and help execute the surgical implantation procedure.
Run two-photon imaging and holographic photostimulation experiments: read population activity during the task, then write in and perturb the held representation at single-cell resolution.
Run holographic targeting, power calibration, and closed-loop stimulation on the all-optical rig, working with our optics engineering team.
Lead computational analysis of large-scale neural population data, including dimensionality reduction, population decoding, GLMs, and circuit-level inference.
Set the viral and transgenic expression strategy, including soma-targeted opsin and GCaMP.
Perform rodent survival surgery for the initial validation: stereotaxic viral injection, chronic cranial-window implantation, and headbar installation.
Mentor research associates and technicians – and, at the senior or principal level, more junior scientists; contribute to hiring, onboarding, and lab culture.
Contribute to publications, talks, open data and tooling releases, and engagement with the broader scientific community.