Research Scientist, All-Optical Working Memory
Conducts end-to-end experimental neuroscience research to read, write, and perturb working-memory representations in mouse cortex. The role combines rodent surgery and behavior, two-photon holographic optogenetics, and computational analysis of neural population data.
About the job
Responsibilities
- Design and iterate a head-fixed mouse working-memory task and train animals to perform it reliably.
- Run two-photon holographic photostimulation experiments to read population activity and write in or perturb held representations at single-cell resolution.
- Perform holographic targeting, power calibration, and closed-loop stimulation on the all-optical rig in collaboration with optics engineers.
- Lead computational analysis of large-scale neural population data, including dimensionality reduction, population decoding, generalized linear models, and circuit-level inference.
- Set viral and transgenic expression strategies, including soma-targeted ChRmine and GCaMP.
- Perform mouse survival surgery, including stereotaxic viral injections, chronic cranial-window implantation, and headbar installation.
- Mentor research associates and technicians and, at senior or principal levels, 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.
Requirements
- Hands-on mouse survival-surgery experience, including chronic cranial windows, headbars, and stereotaxic injections.
- PhD in neuroscience, bioengineering, physics, or a related field; equivalent demonstrated expertise may be considered.
- Hands-on experience with in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and/or SLM-based holographic optogenetics in rodents.
- Practical experience with two-photon systems, including optical alignment, system characterization, and in vivo use.
- Proficiency in scientific computing for neural-data analysis using Python and/or MATLAB, with Suite2p, CaImAn, or comparable pipelines.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with head-fixed rodent behavior and task design, including closed-loop and real-time experiments.
- Systems neuroscience research experience in cortex, working memory, decision-making, or motor/premotor circuits.
- Experience with ultrafast pulsed lasers, including Ti:Sapphire or fiber lasers, and nonlinear optics.
- Experience with two-photon optogenetics, including SLM-based holography, temporal focusing, or spiral-scanning photostimulation.
- Experience with soma-targeted opsins such as ChRmine.
Compensation
- Salary range: $80,000–$150,000, based on Bay Area location.
- Compensation is commensurate with experience and location.
Skills
Neuroscience, Mouse Surgery, Two-Photon Imaging, Holographic Optogenetics, Python, MATLAB, Suite2P, Caiman, Dimensionality Reduction, Population Decoding, Generalized Linear Models, Chrmine, Gcamp, Stereotaxic Injections, Nonlinear Optics
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