Scientific Advisor

Ephapsys; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ephapsys is seeking a Scientific Advisor to guide the scientific direction as ephaptic coupling moves from theory to validated AI systems. You will stress-test hypotheses, sharpen experimental rigor, and influence major technical decisions alongside the founder and research team.

This high-leverage advisory role requires a scientist with credibility through publications or notable contributions, capable of independent judgment in an early-stage research environment.

Qualifications

• Strong ability to evaluate experimental rigor, theoretical claims, and empirical evidence.
• Broad understanding of neural computation, learning systems, or related scientific domains.
• Ability to provide clear, independent judgment in an early-stage research environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise on the scientific roadmap for ephaptic coupling in artificial neural systems.
• Challenge assumptions, identify weak links in theoretical arguments, and refine core hypotheses.
• Help prioritize research directions with the highest scientific and strategic value.
• Provide perspective on how the work fits within adjacent fields including neuroscience, ML, and complex systems.
• Review experimental designs, evaluation criteria, and interpretation of results.
• Help define standards for reproducibility, evidence quality, and scientific claims.
• Identify meaningful baselines, controls, and ablation strategies.
• Support rigorous communication of both positive results and limitations.
• Advise on research narratives for papers, reports, and presentations.
• Help shape publication and collaboration strategy where appropriate.

Skills

Scientific judgment

Critical thinking

Cross-disciplinary insight

Education

PhD in Neuroscience, ML, Applied Math, Physics, CS or related

Job description

We leverage ephaptic coupling to pioneer a new paradigm for empowering and governing autonomous AI agents across industries.

As billions of agents spread across clouds, devices, and biological substrates, Ephapsys aims to be the decentralized identity and integrity layer that keeps every agent trusted, safe, and under control.

The Role

We are seeking a Scientific Advisor to help guide the scientific direction of Ephapsys as we advance ephaptic coupling from foundational theory into validated AI systems.

This is a high-leverage advisory role for an established scientist who can stress-test our hypotheses, sharpen experimental rigor, and help position the work within the broader research landscape.

You will work with the founder and research team on scientific framing, experimental priorities, and research quality, while remaining close enough to influence major technical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Advise on the scientific roadmap for ephaptic coupling in artificial neural systems
• Challenge assumptions, identify weak links in theoretical arguments, and refine core hypotheses
• Help prioritize research directions with the highest scientific and strategic value
• Provide perspective on how the work fits within adjacent fields including neuroscience, machine learning, and complex systems

Research Quality & Validation

• Review experimental designs, evaluation criteria, and interpretation of results
• Help define standards for reproducibility, evidence quality, and scientific claims
• Identify meaningful baselines, controls, and ablation strategies
• Support rigorous communication of both positive results and limitations

External Scientific Positioning

• Advise on research narratives for papers, technical reports, and scientific presentations
• Help shape publication and collaboration strategy where appropriate
• Provide feedback on how to engage with the broader scientific community credibly and precisely
• Open selective connections to relevant researchers, institutions, or collaborators when useful

Strategic Collaboration

• Engage with the founder and staff research engineers on major research milestones
• Participate in periodic scientific reviews and milestone assessments
• Help ensure the company balances ambition with disciplined scientific execution

Qualifications

Required

• PhD in Neuroscience, Machine Learning, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a closely related field
• Recognized scientific credibility through research, publications, or comparable contributions
• Strong ability to evaluate experimental rigor, theoretical claims, and empirical evidence
• Broad understanding of neural computation, learning systems, or adjacent scientific domains relevant to Ephapsys
• Ability to provide clear, independent judgment in an early-stage research environment

Preferred

• Experience advising startups, research labs, or frontier technical programs
• Interest in unconventional or cross-disciplinary approaches to intelligence
• Familiarity with deep learning systems, experimental ML, or computational neuroscience
• Existing publications related to ephaptic coupling, cytoelectric coupling, or closely related neural interaction mechanisms
• Network within relevant academic, scientific, or applied research communities

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 3-6 months, you will have improved the rigor and clarity of Ephapsys' scientific program, helped sharpen key research bets, strengthened experimental standards, and contributed to a more credible external scientific position for the company.

Why Join Ephapsys

• Influence a novel scientific direction at an early stage
• Work directly with the founder on foundational research questions
• Help shape a cross-disciplinary research agenda with real product implications
• Contribute meaningfully without taking on a full-time operating role