Neuroscience Research Associate: Rodent Surgery & Behavior

Astera Institute; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Open science environment

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Astera Neuro, part of Astera Institute, is seeking a Research Associate to join the rodent neuroscience team. You will lead cranial-window surgeries, manage behavior training sessions, and keep the colony and rigs in top condition to enable all-optical experiments reading and perturbing working memory in the mouse cortex.

The role requires meticulous hands and the ability to perform high-volume, precise work, with close collaboration to scientists and vivarium staff.

Qualifications

• Current hands-on experience performing mouse survival surgery: cranial-window implantation and headbar installation, plus stereotaxic injections.
• High surgical yield and long-lived window preparations.
• Meticulous, fast hands, and ability to sustain high-quality work at volume.

Responsibilities

• Perform mouse survival surgeries and cranial-window implants.
• Run head-fixed behavior training on sequence working-memory tasks.
• Build and maintain behavior rigs and ensure rig upkeep.
• Coordinate animal sourcing, health, and vivarium readiness.
• Maintain careful records of surgeries and training histories.
• Work with scientists on all-optical experiments to keep prep aligned.

Skills

Python scripting

Surgical skills

Colony management experience

Education

BS/BA in neuroscience, biology, bioengineering or related field

Tools

Bonsai

Harp

Stereotaxic equipment

Job description

Astera Neuro, part of Astera Institute, is seeking a Research Associate to join the rodent neuroscience team. You will lead cranial-window surgeries, manage behavior training sessions, and keep the colony and rigs in top condition to enable all-optical experiments reading and perturbing working memory in the mouse cortex.

The role requires meticulous hands and the ability to perform high-volume, precise work, with close collaboration to scientists and vivarium staff.