Research Scientist, Cellular Physiology

About the role

The is a critical scientific position focused on elucidating the fundamental biophysical and molecular mechanisms through which ultrasound modulates neural tissue. In this San Francisco-based full-time role, you will serve as the primary investigator for *in vitro* interrogation of ultrasound-driven neuromodulation. Your core mandate is to develop, implement, and standardize rigorous experimental methods that define how ultrasound parameters translate into cellular responses. Success in this position requires a deep commitment to translating precise *in vitro* observations into principles that directly inform and refine ongoing human neuromodulation studies, ensuring that device development is grounded in robust cellular physiology. On this team, you will own the end-to-end process of hypothesis generation, experimental design, data generation, and mechanistic interpretation at the cellular level.

What you'll do

• Develop and validate sophisticated methods for characterizing the mechanisms of action of ultrasound on neural tissue across varying parameters and conditions.
• Design and execute a comprehensive portfolio of *in vitro* experiments to systematically determine the impact of ultrasound on cellular properties, neuronal activity, and synaptic or network-level plasticity.
• Explore and execute a structured optimization of ultrasound parameters - including intensity, frequency, duty cycle, and waveform - to define conditions that reliably drive specific cellular activity and long-lasting plasticity outcomes.
• Translate nuanced *in vitro* findings into clear, actionable insights that directly inform the design and implementation of human neuromodulation studies, bridging the gap between cellular discovery and clinical application.
• Establish and maintain standardized, high-quality protocols for reproducible cellular assays, ensuring consistency and reliability across experiments and over time.
• Apply advanced quantitative analysis to complex imaging and electrophysiology datasets to extract meaningful physiological and biophysical insights regarding ultrasound-neural interactions.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers and clinicians, to align experimental outcomes with overarching product development goals and clinical translation strategies.
• Implement stringent quality control measures and rigorous validation steps to guarantee data integrity, measurement accuracy, and the overall reproducibility of scientific findings.
• Maintain meticulous, detailed experimental records and contribute to comprehensive technical documentation, protocols, and standard operating procedures.
• Identify, analyze, and mitigate sources of experimental variability to strengthen the confidence and generalizability of scientific conclusions.
• Leverage sophisticated genetic and molecular tools, including viral transduction and CRISPR-based approaches, to probe specific intracellular pathways and molecular mediators underlying ultrasound-responsive mechanisms.
• Continuously evaluate emerging imaging, recording, and stimulation technologies to assess potential integration into and enhancement of existing experimental workflows.
• Communicate complex experimental results, methodologies, and implications effectively and persuasively to diverse scientific and engineering audiences, both internally and externally.

Requirements

• Possess a PhD or postdoctoral research experience in neuroscience, molecular/cellular biology, biomedical engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline with a strong foundation in cellular and systems physiology.
• Demonstrate exceptional proficiency in neuronal cell culture techniques, with advanced expertise in culturing human iPSC-derived neurons and performing acute brain slice preparations and recordings.
• Bring substantial experience applying advanced microscopy modalities, particularly two-photon calcium imaging, alongside electrophysiological and other neural recording techniques to characterize cellular, synaptic, and network-level physiology with precision.
• Show a proven track record in developing or utilizing genetic manipulation tools, including viral transduction strategies and CRISPR-based genome editing approaches, to achieve specific molecular interventions in neural tissue.
• Have a demonstrated history of exceptional technical contribution as evidenced by first-author publications, critical technical developments, or influential preprints within the field of neural modulation or related disciplines.
• Operate with consistently high integrity and exercise strong professional scientific judgement in all aspects of experimental design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Exhibit a high level of independent scientific thinking, coupled with a relentless execution approach that ensures project milestones are met with accuracy and efficiency.
• Meticulous attention to detail and unwavering adherence to established experimental best practices and documentation standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills necessary for clear scientific discourse, precise technical writing, and effective presentation to both specialized and general scientific audiences.

Skills & tools

You will routinely apply two-photon calcium imaging to visualize cellular responses. You will conduct sophisticated electrophysiology to measure electrical properties and synaptic function. You will perform neural recording to capture dynamic cellular activity. You will utilize viral transduction as a core method for genetic tool delivery. You will implement CRISPR-based genetic engineering to probe and manipulate specific molecular pathways in neural systems.

Practical notes

Note: About the company

At Nudge, our mission is to develop the best technology for interfacing with the brain to improve people's lives. We're starting with an approach that we believe can help the most people the fastest, and also allow us to learn as much about the brain as possible: developing a non-invasive, ultrasound-based device that can stimulate and image the brain at high resolution and depth.