Histology Sr. Research Associate

VivoSim Labs, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

VivoSim Labs, Inc. seeks an experienced Histology Scientist to join our Histology team to support and expand histopathology capabilities for NAMkind Liver and NAMkind Intestine platforms.

This hands-on role will handle tissue processing, sectioning, staining, imaging, and pathology-support activities that enable drug discovery, toxicology, and disease modeling programs. The successful candidate will initially assume primary responsibility for histology operations and subsequently help increase

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Histotechnology, Biology, Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on histology experience in industry, academia, CRO, or clinical pathology labs.
• Demonstrated expertise in tissue processing, paraffin embedding, microtomy, histochemical staining, and immunohistochemistry.
• Ability to independently manage histology workflows with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Independently process tissue samples from NAMkind Liver and NAMkind Intestine studies.
• Perform fixation, embedding, microtomy, cryosectioning, slide preparation, and tissue preservation.
• Maintain high-quality tissue processing workflows with reproducibility and turnaround time.
• Troubleshoot tissue preparation and staining challenges with small, delicate, and 3D tissue models.
• Acquire and manage digital images; support image analysis and interpretation.

Skills

Tissue processing

Paraffin embedding

Microtomy

Histochemical staining

Immunohistochemistry

Education

B.S./M.S. in Histotechnology or related field

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Histology Scientist to join our Histology team to both support and expand histopathology capabilities for our NAMkind™ Liver and NAMkind™ Intestine platforms. This hands-on role will be responsible for tissue processing, sectioning, staining, imaging, and pathology-support activities that enable drug discovery, toxicology, and disease modeling programs.

The successful candidate will initially assume primary responsibility for histology operations and subsequently serve as a key member of the histology team, helping increase throughput and advance tissue characterization capabilities across our 3D human tissue models.

Key Responsibilities

Histology Operations

• Independently process tissue samples from NAMkind™ Liver and NAMkind™ Intestine studies.
• Perform fixation, embedding, microtomy, cryosectioning, slide preparation, and tissue preservation.
• Maintain high-quality tissue processing workflows with strong attention to reproducibility and turnaround time.
• Troubleshoot tissue preparation and staining challenges associated with small, delicate, and 3D tissue models.

Histochemical Staining

• Execute routine and specialty staining procedures, including:
  • Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)
  • Picrosirius Red (PSR)
  • Masson's Trichrome
  • PAS and related histochemical stains
  • Additional special stains as required
• Optimize and validate staining protocols for novel tissue applications.

Immunohistochemistry & Imaging

• Perform immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and related tissue characterization workflows.
• Optimize antigen retrieval methods, antibody panels, and staining procedures.
• Acquire and manage digital images using microscopy and slide-scanning platforms.
• Support image analysis, quantification, and interpretation of histological endpoints.

Research & Development Support

• Collaborate with scientists investigating liver injury, fibrosis, inflammation, steatosis, intestinal injury, barrier function, and tissue remodeling.
• Support development and validation of new histology-based biomarkers and tissue characterization methods.
• Contribute to assay development and continuous improvement of tissue-analysis workflows.

Quality & Documentation

• Maintain detailed laboratory records and SOPs.
• Ensure compliance with internal quality standards and laboratory best practices.
• Assist with equipment maintenance, reagent inventory, and laboratory organization.

Qualifications

Required

• B.S. or M.S. in Histotechnology, Biology, Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on histology experience in industry, academia, CRO, or clinical pathology laboratories.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Tissue processing
  • Paraffin embedding
  • Microtomy
  • Histochemical staining
  • Immunohistochemistry
• Strong understanding of tissue morphology and pathology-assisted tissue evaluation.
• Ability to independently manage histology workflows with minimal supervision.

Preferred

• HT(ASCP) or HTL(ASCP) certification.
• Experience with liver, gastrointestinal, fibrosis, toxicology, or drug discovery research.
• Experience with Picrosirius Red staining and fibrosis quantification.
• Experience with immunofluorescence and multiplex staining methodologies.
• Experience with organoids, spheroids, microphysiological systems, engineered tissues, or other advanced in vitro models.
• Familiarity with digital pathology and image analysis software.

Desired Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced biotech environment.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to support cross-functional research programs.
• Passion for advancing human-relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and reducing reliance on animal testing.