# Research Scientist, All-Optical Working Memory

**Company:** [Astera](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/astera)
**Location:** Unspecified
**Role:** AI Research
**Salary:** $80k – $150k/yr
**Experience:** 0+ years
**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
**Posted:** 2026-08-16

> 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.

## Job Description

## 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.

## Similar jobs

- [AI Research Intern: Foundation Models](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/63788a25-96a2-4aea-b0e0-13d31a9be98d) - GrayMatter Robotics - Los Angeles, CA - $83k – $104k/yr
- [AI Research Intern](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/fafb16d8-0cdf-40cb-8e7d-52bd9524131f) - OnePay - Remote - $67k – $67k/yr
- [Product Research Internship](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/e30d3ef3-7a2a-40e1-80c5-323348e6c525) - Immuta - College Park, MD - $52k – $62k/yr
- [Research Scientist, Multiregional Electrophysiology of Working Memory](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/3da76679-74b9-470f-8e18-afd5cd50b5c2) - Astera - $125k – $175k/yr
- [Speech Technology Research Intern](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/42c79c84-b1e3-4aa4-a167-8de24d5f46fd) - Capacity - Remote - £27k – £27k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/de581d42-6d97-4c63-bfb3-52a64105af31
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/de581d42-6d97-4c63-bfb3-52a64105af31