Research Scientist, Electrophysiology

Mindspan is assembling a multidisciplinary team to develop technologies that will fundamentally accelerate our understanding of the brain. We are seeking an exceptional electrophysiology research scientist to join our team and become a core operator of our next-generation electrophysiology platforms.

This is an experimental neuroscience role, operating both existing and next-generation electrophysiology (e.g., patch clamp) platforms. This is an intensely hands-on position: you will spend your days at patch rigs performing electrophysiology experiments, collecting high-quality data, troubleshooting experiments, and interpreting the results.

We are looking for someone who is highly experienced with manual whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in mammalian brain slice, has excellent experimental judgment and dexterity, and is excited to apply those skills in conjunction with increasingly automated systems.

The ideal candidate is a careful, systematic, high-throughput experimentalist who can repeatedly execute demanding protocols while maintaining exceptional data quality: someone who loves being at the rig, and wants to push the limits of what can be measured experimentally.

Experiments. You generate high-quality mono synaptically paired whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, both manually and using next-generation automation. You understand electrophysiology deeply, and become highly proficient with novel electrophysiology platforms. You consistently generate large quantities of high-quality, reproducible electrophysiological data, on a daily basis.

Analysis. You develop the judgment required to maximize recording yield and quality, both manually and in automation contexts, and help transition established manual techniques to automated electrophysiology platforms. You systematically troubleshoot unsuccessful recordings and identify sources of variability. You analyze, QC, and interpret electrophysiological recordings to reveal cellular and circuit physiology.

Collaboration. You work closely with engineers and scientists to improve experimental workflows and automation. You maintain rigorous experimental records, can follow standardized experimental protocols, and help establish standardized, repeatable protocols for high-throughput electrophysiology.

The disorders of the brain affect over 1, people around the world:
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and other conditions. We operate with a sense of urgency, even as we look to understand the brain at its most fundamental levels.

We are hypercollaborative, and focused on impact over short-term markers of productivity. Creativity and failure are the stepping stones to scale, and working together with “strong opinions, weakly held” is our style.

We solve real engineering problems the best way we can: inventing fast when we have to, and using good existing solutions where they exist. We believe hard problems only yield to many disciplines working together, so collaboration is not optional.

We expect people to explore the unknown, which means making mistakes daily, owning them, and learning from them to improve and excel.

We are recruiting a team of scientists and engineers who exemplify all these values.

• PhD in neuroscience, biology, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in mammalian brain slices.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Electrophysiological recording techniques
  • Neuronal physiology
  • Experimental design
  • Data quality and experimental rigor
• Excellent manual patch-clamp skills, manual dexterity, and fine motor control.
• Ability to perform repetitive, technically demanding experiments systematically, consistently, and with exceptional…