All-Optical Neuroscience Scientist, Rodent Cognition

astera; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Astera Neuro is seeking an experimental neuroscientist to join the rodent neuroscience team. You will define cognitive processes, design tasks, perform surgeries, and run two-photon holographic optogenetics to manipulate an animal's internal model.

You will conduct end-to-end experiments from task design to large-scale neural data analysis, shaping aging and neural processing research with open science practice.

Qualifications

• PhD in neuroscience, bioengineering, physics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Hands-on mouse survival surgery experience including cranial windows and headbars.
• In vivo two-photon calcium imaging and/or holographic optogenetics in rodents.
• Proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB for neural-data analysis with Suite2p or CaImAn.

Responsibilities

• Define cognitive processes and design head-fixed behavioral paradigms in mice.
• Run two-photon imaging and holographic photostimulation to read, write, and perturb neural activity.
• Lead all-optical experiments including targeting, power calibration, and closed-loop stimulation.
• Lead computational analysis of large-scale neural data (dimensionality reduction, decoding, GLMs).
• Set viral and transgenic strategies (e.g., soma-targeted opsins).
• Perform mouse survival surgeries: cranial windows, injections, headbar implants.
• Mentor staff and contribute to hiring, onboarding, and lab culture.
• Contribute to publications, talks, open data, and tooling releases.

Skills

Mouse survival surgery

Two-photon imaging

Holographic optogenetics

Python

MATLAB

Suite2p

CaImAn

Two-photon systems alignment

Education

PhD in neuroscience or related field

Tools

SLM-based holography

Two-photon microscope

Ti:Sapphire laser

Job description

Astera Neuro is seeking an experimental neuroscientist to join the rodent neuroscience team. You will define cognitive processes, design tasks, perform surgeries, and run two-photon holographic optogenetics to manipulate an animal's internal model.

You will conduct end-to-end experiments from task design to large-scale neural data analysis, shaping aging and neural processing research with open science practice.