Senior Nanoscientist

Subsense; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Subsense, a deep-tech startup in California, is seeking a Senior Nanoscientist to own nanoparticle design for our bidirectional brain-computer interface. You will lead projects, mentor junior scientists, and shape how nanoparticles are made and scaled.

You will collaborate across neuroscience, hardware, software, and data science teams, publishing results as we advance from lab to production. This role requires a PhD and 5–10 years of relevant experience, with US-based candidates preferred.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry or materials science with 5–10 years industrial or postdoctoral research experience.
• Deep expertise in inorganic and organic nanoparticle synthesis, modification, and characterization; record of leading projects independently.
• Experience scaling nanoparticle synthesis from lab to pilot or production scale.
• Strong publication history in chemistry, nanoscience, or materials science.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; US-based preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of new nanoparticle technology, including synthesis, functionalization, and formulation strategies.
• Set and maintain standardized characterization methods for the company, ensuring design criteria are consistently met.
• Drive scale up of nanoparticle synthesis, working with contractors and collaborators to move from lab to production scale.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior nanoscientists on the team.
• Partner with academic and industrial collaborators to advance Subsense's nanoparticle IP and research agenda.
• Work across hardware, software, data science, and regulatory teams to integrate nanoscience advances into BCI technology.
• Help operate and maintain internal nanoscience laboratories, with input on lab planning and equipment decisions.
• Represent Subsense's scientific work through peer reviewed publication and conference presentations.

Skills

Nanoparticle synthesis

Characterization methods

Scale-up understanding

Mentoring

Collaboration

Publication history

English fluency

Startup mindset

Education

PhD in chemistry or materials science

Job description

About Subsense

Subsense is a deep-tech company developing the world’s first non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. Our mission is to unlock direct communication between the human brain and AI - starting with medical applications such as stroke recovery and moving toward cognitive enhancement for healthy users. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Subsense brings together leading scientists and engineers to redefine the future of human-machine interaction.

The Opportunity

We're looking for a Senior Nanoscientist to take ownership of nanoparticle design and development for our BCI platform. This role is for someone who has already built a track record in nanoscience research and is ready to lead projects independently, mentor junior scientists, and make the technical calls that shape how our nanoparticles are designed, made, and scaled. You'll work closely with the Nanoscience team and Acting Director, R&D Execution across neuroscience, hardware, software, and data science teams to advance our technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of new nanoparticle technology, including synthesis, functionalization, and formulation strategies
• Set and maintain standardized characterization methods for the company, ensuring design criteria are consistently met
• Drive scale up of nanoparticle synthesis, working directly with contractors and collaborators to move from lab to production scale
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior nanoscientists on the team
• Partner with academic and industrial collaborators to advance the company's nanoparticle IP and research agenda
• Work across hardware, software, data science, and regulatory teams to integrate nanoscience advances into BCI technology
• Help operate and maintain internal nanoscience laboratories, with input on lab planning and equipment decisions
• Represent Subsense's scientific work through peer reviewed publication and conference presentations

What You'll Bring

• A PhD in chemistry, materials science, or a similar field, with 5 to 10 years of industrial or postdoctoral research experience
• Deep expertise in inorganic and organic nanoparticle synthesis, modification, and characterization, with a track record of leading projects independently
• Strong understanding of biological applications of nanoparticles
• Experience scaling nanoparticle synthesis from lab to pilot or production scale
• Experience collaborating with academic labs and CROs
• Comfort mentoring junior scientists and setting technical direction
• A strong publication history in chemistry, nanoscience, and/or materials science
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, early stage startup environment and take on high risk, high reward challenges
• US based
• Fluent in written and spoken English

$120,000 - $145,000 a year

Subsense is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.