Principal Scientist, Epilepsy Research

Location: Bar Harbor

In Vivo Research & Mouse Models

* Design, execute, and lead seizure studies using established and novel mouse models of epilepsy (e.g., kainate, pilocarpine, kindling, genetic models such as Scn1a+/−).

* Plan and perform chronic in vivo electrophysiological recordings (EEG/LFP) to quantify seizure burden, inter-ictal activity, and network dynamics.

* Oversee surgical implantation of recording electrodes and manage long-term telemetric monitoring cohorts.

* Develop and validate new in vivo model systems relevant to drug-resistant or pediatric epilepsies.

Ex Vivo Electrophysiology

* Execute and lead acute and organotypic brain slice preparation with high reproducibility across hippocampal, cortical, and thalamocortical circuits.

* Perform whole-cell patch-clamp and field potential recordings to characterize intrinsic neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and network-level epileptiform activity.

* Analyze pharmacological modulation of ion channels, GABAergic/glutamatergic systems, and other therapeutic targets in slice preparations.

Therapeutic Development

* Serve as the primary electrophysiology lead in evaluating candidate therapeutics (small molecules, biologics, gene therapy approaches) across preclinical models.

* Design and execute dose-response, time-course, and mechanistic studies to characterize compound efficacy and tolerability in the CNS.

* Partner closely with medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and translational teams to align preclinical findings with clinical hypotheses.

* Contribute to IND-enabling studies and regulatory submissions by providing high-quality preclinical data packages.

Scientific Leadership & Collaboration

* Lead a small team of research scientists and associates, providing mentorship, experimental guidance, and career development support.

* Define research priorities, drive experimental strategy, and ensure rigorous, reproducible science across the team.

* Present findings at internal research reviews, external conferences, and in peer-reviewed publications.

* Build and maintain collaborations with academic KOLs, clinical epileptologists, and external research partners.

* Contribute to grant writing, scientific communications, and IP generation as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

* PhD in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, or a closely related discipline.

* Minimum 8 years of post-doctoral research experience, with a demonstrated track record in epilepsy or seizure biology.

* Expert-level proficiency in in vivo electrophysiology, including EEG recording and analysis in rodent seizure models.

* Expert-level proficiency in brain slice preparation and patch-clamp or field potential electrophysiology.

* Extensive hands-on experience with rodent models of epilepsy and associated surgical, behavioral, and data analysis workflows.

* Direct experience contributing to preclinical therapeutic development programs, including target validation and compound profiling.

* Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals relevant to epilepsy, ion channel biology, or CNS pharmacology.

* Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, and interpret complex experiments and communicate findings clearly.

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience with genetic mouse models of epilepsy (e.g., Dravet syndrome, KCNQ2, CDKL5).

* Familiarity with advanced imaging modalities (e.g., calcium imaging, optogenetics) in the context of seizure research.

* Experience with translational biomarker development or clinical EEG interpretation.

* Prior experience in a biotech, pharma, or translational research environment.

* Familiarity with regulatory expectations for preclinical CNS packages (FDA/EMA guidelines).

* Experience with gene therapy or RNA-based therapeutic modalities.

Skills & Competencies

* Scientific rigor and meticulous attention to reproducibility and data quality.

* Strong analytical and quantitative skills; proficiency with electrophysiology analysis software (e.g., Clampfit, Spike2, custom MATLAB/Python pipelines).

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex data to cross-functional stakeholders.

* Collaborative mindset with the ability to work…