Research Scientist — Neuroscience

Job overview

The Research Scientist — Neuroscience role is onsite in Alameda, CA. Compensation is $120,000–$220,000 annually. Astera Neuro aims to understand and engineer consciousness through neuroscience, neural recording, causal perturbation, and brain-based artificial intelligence, with tools that may also have therapeutic promise. The scientist leads research programs and collaborates across scientific and engineering teams to study how the brain represents the physical world, thoughts, and internal states. Experimental design, data analysis, and causal perturbation work contribute to models that can guide further experiments and inform new AI architectures.

What you'll do

• Design behavioral paradigms aligned with scientific goals
• design and execute large-scale neural recording experiments in awake, behaving subjects
• design and execute model-guided write-in causal perturbation experiments
• build and analyze datasets across sessions, animals, and paradigms
• collaborate with electrophysiology, holography, computational, and engineering teams
• mentor research technicians and, at senior or principal level, junior scientists
• contribute to publications, talks, open data, tools, and methods.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

research scientist

neuroscience

full-time

alameda ca

astera institute

neural recording

causal perturbation

systems neuroscience

behavioral experiments

open science

brain research

$120k–$220k/year

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Comprehensive benefits package and total compensation described as competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Why this role

Requires a PhD with substantial relevant experience or equivalent research experience, hands-on large-scale electrophysiology experience, and demonstrated ability to lead systems neuroscience research end to end. The organization emphasizes open science and shared research infrastructure.

About the employer

Astera Institute is hiring for this role. Industry: Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Sector: 54.