Neural Gene Delivery Scientist — Non-Viral Platforms

Slope; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab bridging biology and AI to enable high-bandwidth brain-computer interfaces. The Delivery team develops non-viral gene delivery technologies and takes them toward safe, clinical translation.

The Scientist, Delivery, will develop delivery modalities, run in vivo studies, and collaborate across molecular engineering, neurobiology, and data science to bridge molecular design and neural function.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience leading research projects end-to-end in bioengineering, chemical engineering, drug delivery, neuroscience, molecular biology or related field.
• Hands-on experience with non-viral delivery vehicles including lipid or polymeric nanoparticles.
• Expertise in developing, optimizing, or evaluating gene delivery modalities.
• Designed and executed in vivo studies and interpreted delivery results.
• Experience advancing a delivery technology through preclinical translation or into the clinic.
• Worked on complex delivery problems and enjoyed multidisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Identify best non-viral delivery technologies and secure access through collaborations or in-licensing.
• Hands-on lab work to formulate and characterize LNPs and other non-viral vehicles for CNS delivery.
• Define success criteria and develop assays/readouts to measure them.
• Design, run, and interpret in vivo studies in rodents and large animal models as appropriate.
• Evaluate approaches pairing delivery with ultrasound-mediated BBB opening.
• Collaborate on payload design and expression requirements.
• Operate independently and drive projects to results, mentoring researchers as needed.

Skills

Non-viral delivery

Lab hands-on formulation

Multidisciplinary collaboration

In vivo study interpretation

Project independence

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent

Tools

Lipid nanoparticles

Polymeric nanoparticles

Job description

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab bridging biology and AI to enable high-bandwidth brain-computer interfaces. The Delivery team develops non-viral gene delivery technologies and takes them toward safe, clinical translation.

The Scientist, Delivery, will develop delivery modalities, run in vivo studies, and collaborate across molecular engineering, neurobiology, and data science to bridge molecular design and neural function.