Research Associate - In Vivo

Salary Range: 74000 to 125000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Responsibilities

Execute retro-orbital and stereotaxic viral injections, with post-operative monitoring

Prepare perfusates and run perfusions to SOP standards, and keep perfusion and surgical setups operational

Collect and process tissue, including sectioning of the fixed brain, histology and immunostaining, and imaging

Run colony management and animal supply: breeding, weaning, genotyping workflows, health checks and record keeping

Support perfusion development: run controlled perturbations and document QC outcomes

Prepare equipment and supplies for experiments, keep the reagents and consumables for these workflows stocked, and flag supply problems early

Work to approved animal protocols and comply with federal and institutional IACUC regulations governing animal research

Keep accurate, reproducible experimental records

Outcomes

In 1 month

Completed training in retro-orbital and stereotaxic injections, and running routine surgeries with good survival and recovery

Performing perfusions under supervision at the team's baseline quality level, with perfusates prepared independently

In 3 months

Running the colony: health checks, weaning and genotyping workflows on schedule

Trained on imaging and running it routinely

Independently producing fixed tissue at baseline quality

In 6 months

Carrying one small focused piece of development work, scoped with a scientist

Required qualifications

BS/BA in a STEM field with 0 to 4 years of relevant experience, or an MS, or equivalent hands-on experience

Experience with rodent handling, restraint and procedures under an approved protocol, and willingness to work with small animals and animal tissue

Strong lab notebook practice, careful experimental documentation and attention to detail

Ability to work some weekends as needed, with days off swapped for weekdays

Preferred qualifications

Hands-on experience performing animal perfusions with PFA or related fixatives for brain tissue applications

Experience with stereotaxic or retro-orbital viral injections, or clear interest and aptitude to train into them

Experience with transgenic mouse colony management, including breeding and genotyping workflows

Experience with histology, brain excision or sectioning, and with acquiring images on a fluorescence microscope, or clear interest in moving into imaging and histology as part of the role

Mechanical or technical aptitude for maintaining and troubleshooting perfusion rigs and surgical setups

And you:

Are motivated by moonshot neuroscience and want to work on a high-impact project with a tight-knit team

Are committed to open science and want to see the work disseminated transparently

We offer:

An opportunity to help change the world and work with some of the most talented and collaborative experts across scientific fields.

An opportunity to gain experience on a field-defining moonshot effort.

Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan; parental leave.

Generous time off + paid holidays.

401K matching up to 6% of base salary

Ample healthy and energizing food, including daily lunches.

Stipend for fitness and wellness activities.