Scientist, Advanced Imaging

Alameda, CA       ·       Full time

E11 Bio is on a mission to make single-cell brain circuit mapping a routine part of every neuroscientist’s toolbox. We are a collaborative and interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers engaged in a neuroscience moonshot project to develop a radical technology platform for scalable mammalian brain mapping. E11 Bio is a non-profit Convergent Research focused research organization located in Alameda, California, pursuing blue-skies neuroscience research yet operating like a nimble, tight-knit start-up. Read our whitepaper and learn more.

E11 Bio is seeking a creative and passionate advanced imaging scientist to develop next-generation cellular barcoding technology. As a core member of the E11 team, you’ll develop innovative methods for using optical microscopy to scalably resolve synaptic connectivity in mammalian brains. Working closely with world experts in cellular barcoding and neural data science, you’ll design experiments, collect data, and analyze, interpret, present and publish results to accelerate open and accessible neuroscience for public benefit.

Responsibilities

• Develop a state-of-the-art tissue clearing and optical imaging strategy for scalably detecting synaptic connectivity and molecular composition.
• Develop new tissue clearing chemistries based on expansion microscopy,
• Optimize expansion microscopy protocols for robust super-resolution synaptic imaging.
• Design FISH and immunohistochemistry experiments to verify correctness and robustness of imaging protocols. 
• Work closely with experimental and computational scientists at E11 and through external partnerships to collaboratively design experiments, analyze experimental data, and interpret results.
• Implement, maintain, and extend new and/or existing spatial transcriptomics and proteomics solutions, working and coordinating with external partners where appropriate.
• Maintain excellent laboratory notebook practices, prepare reports and manuscripts, and present results internally and externally.
• Actively source new techniques and methodologies from the scientific community.

Required qualifications

• PhD in biology (e.g. biophysics, bioengineering, molecular biology) or a related field in science and/or engineering, or equivalent working experience and track record.
• Extensive experience with molecular biology laboratory techniques, e.g. cell and tissue culture, optical microscopy, molecular cloning, quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, etc.
• Experience with imaging studies, particularly of cellular neuroanatomy.
• Excellent communication skills, record keeping ability, and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with nucleic acid probe design.
• Experience with optical clearing protocols or expansion microscopy.
• Experience working with cutting-edge optical microscope modalities, such as spinning-disc confocal or light-sheet microscopy.
• Experience working directly with computational scientists; computational analysis experience a plus.
• Strong record of publications in peer reviewed scientific journals.

Who will love this job

• You are passionate about moonshot neuroscience, and want to broadly accelerate science through long-term commitment to a high-impact project with a tight-knit team. 
• You have a strong desire and intrinsic motivation to work collaboratively and inclusively as part of an interdisciplinary team science effort.
• You are committed to the ethos of open science, and want to see your work transparently disseminated.
• You’re mission-driven, and are seeking an environment where you can take long-term risks on moonshot science, shielded from academic or for-profit incentives.
• You’re seeking a high-leverage, non-traditional opportunity to maximize the impact of your science, establishing relationships with key stakeholders in the neuroscience community.
• You understand, appreciate and are ready to tackle the significant experimental challenges related to scalable optical imaging of mammalian brains connectivity.

We offer

• An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the most talented and collaborative experts across scientific fields.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan; parental leave.
• Generous time off + paid holidays.
• Wellness allowance for fitness and wellness activities.

Convergent Research aims to help fill a structural gap in today’s R&D system. We enable fundamental research that requires unusual levels of scale and coordination yet is not rapidly monetizable by industry. We’re bringing together top talent from academia, industry, and startups to build a new model for innovative R&D. As an incubator within the Schmidt Futures Network, we identify high-impact scientific or technical research and development opportunities, ultimately defining and launching these projects as Focused Research Organizations.

Convergent Research, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.