Preclinical Research Associate

Stealth NeuroTech Startup; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Stealth NeuroTech Startup is seeking an Animal Surgeon in Mountain View, California, to manage in vivo experimentation. This role involves performing chronic neural implant surgeries, maintaining electrophysiology probes, and designing surgical protocols. The ideal candidate holds a B.S. or M.S. in Neuroscience or a related field with hands-on rodent surgery experience. Join this innovative team and contribute to pioneering surgical approaches for human-grade devices.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in a related field.
• Experience in rodent surgery.
• Ability to work independently in a startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform rodent brain surgeries for neural implant studies.
• Implant and maintain electrophysiology probes.
• Design and refine surgical protocols.

Skills

Hands-on rodent surgery experience

Electrophysiology recording in vivo

Ability to work independently

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Biology

Tools

Neuropixels

Neuronexus

Open Ephys

Job description

As an Animal Surgeon, you will own every aspect of in vivo experimentation from surgical preparation through post-operative care and data collection. You are not executing someone else's protocol. You are helping design it. The work you do today will define the surgical approach for human-grade devices tomorrow.

Responsibilities

• Perform stereotaxic rodent brain surgeries for chronic neural implant studies
• Implant and maintain electrophysiology probes (e.g., Neuropixels, Neuronexus) for acute and chronic recordings
• Perform post-operative animal care and monitor implant stability over time
• Design and refine surgical protocols in close collaboration with the mechanical engineering team
• Maintain detailed surgical logs and contribute to experimental documentation

Key Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Biology, or a related field
• Demonstrated hands‑on rodent surgery experience
• Experience with electrophysiology recording in vivo
• Comfortable working independently in an early‑stage environment with minimal supervision

Preferred

• Hands‑on rodent brain surgery experience (stereotaxic implantation, craniotomy)
• Hands‑on experience with Neuropixels, Neuronexus, or equivalent high‑density electrophysiology hardware
• Familiarity with closed‑loop or real‑time electrophysiology acquisition systems (Open Ephys, SpikeGLX, etc.)
• Familiarity with IACUC protocol compliance and maintain vivarium records