Non-Viral Gene Delivery Scientist for Neurotech & BCI

Merge Labs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab for brain‑computer interfaces, seeking a Scientist to advance non‑viral gene delivery for neural activity sensors and actuators in preclinical models. You will bridge molecular engineering and in vivo function, collaborating with protein engineers, cell biologists, data scientists, physicists and neurobiologists.

You will design in vivo studies, evaluate delivery modalities, and help translate delivery technology toward safe, effective clinical translation,

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. or equivalent experience leading research projects end‑to‑end in bioengineering, chemical engineering, drug delivery, neuroscience, molecular biology or a related field.
• Prior hands‑on experience with non‑viral delivery vehicles including lipid nanoparticles or polymeric nanoparticles.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing, optimizing, or critically evaluating gene delivery modalities.
• Designed and executed in vivo studies and interpreted delivery and expression results.
• Experience advancing a delivery technology through preclinical translation or into the clinic.
• Worked on a delivery‑related problem that is unusual or complex and loved it.
• Enjoyed working on multidisciplinary teams, collaborating and communicating with experts across disciplines.
• The desire to be part of a fast‑paced team working on frontier scientific and technical problems.

Responsibilities

• Identify the best non‑viral delivery technologies and secure access via collaborations or in‑licensing.
• Hands‑on lab work to formulate, adapt, and characterize LNPs, polymeric nanoparticles, and other non‑viral vehicles for CNS delivery.
• Define success criteria for efficacy and tolerability and develop assays/readouts.
• Design, run, and interpret in vivo studies in rodents and large animal models where appropriate.
• Evaluate approaches pairing non‑viral tech with ultrasound‑mediated BBB opening.
• Assess durability of expression and consider repeat dosing, manufacturability and cost.
• Collaborate on payload design and expression needs with molecular engineering and neurobiology teams.
• Operate independently and drive projects to results, mentoring research associates as needed.

Skills

Team collaboration

Multidisciplinary problem solving

In vivo study design

Education

Ph.D. in bioengineering/chemical engineering/neuroscience/molecular biology or related

Tools

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)

Polymeric nanoparticles

Microfluidic formulation

Analytical characterization methods

Job description

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab for brain‑computer interfaces, seeking a Scientist to advance non‑viral gene delivery for neural activity sensors and actuators in preclinical models. You will bridge molecular engineering and in vivo function, collaborating with protein engineers, cell biologists, data scientists, physicists and neurobiologists.

You will design in vivo studies, evaluate delivery modalities, and help translate delivery technology toward safe, effective clinical translation,