Specialist

University of California San Francisco

$57K — $201K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Baccalaureate degree or equivalent, or four years of research experience for Junior Specialist role.
  • Master's degree or baccalaureate degree with at least three years of research experience for Assistant Specialist.
  • Master's degree or equivalent and five to ten years of relevant experience for Associate Specialist.
  • Terminal degree or equivalent and ten or more years of specialized experience for Full Specialist.
  • Experience or willingness to learn surgical procedures for rodent neural implants.
  • Familiarity with rodents or other animal models' handling and care.
  • Data analysis experience in Python.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and optimize electroplating methods for 512-channel probes.
  • Prepare probes for surgical implantation in rodent models.
  • Implant probes in rats in collaboration with NeuralThread.
  • Collect and analyze electrophysiological data from experiments.
  • Evaluate and benchmark the performance of neural probes quantitatively.
  • Train colleagues at Astera on probe implantation techniques and experimental methods.
  • Contribute to the refinement and innovation of flexible neural recording technologies.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for collaboration with leading neuroscience researchers.
  • Engagement with cutting-edge neural recording technology development.
  • Contribution to impactful research with potential human translation.
  • Professional development through training others in advanced techniques.
Full Job Description
Application Window

Open date: July 23, 2026

Next review date: Friday, Aug 7, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Jan 23, 2028 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Specialist

This position is focused on the development and validation of next-generation high-density neural recording technologies. The successful candidate will work on the development, testing, and benchmarking of novel 512-channel flexible neural probes fabricated using advanced electron-beam lithography techniques. The project is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Doris Tsao at Astera, a neuroscience institute in the East Bay. The longer-term objective of this effort is to develop extremely high-density flexible neural recording technology suitable for use across deep and superficial brain structures in rodents and non-human primates. This is also a potential step toward translation to humans.

Responsibilities include:

  • Development and optimization of electroplating approaches for 512-channel flexible probes
  • Preparation of probes for implantation Surgical implantation of probes in rats (in collaboration with NeuralThread)
  • Collection and analysis of electrophysiological data
  • Quantitative evaluation and benchmarking of probe performance
  • Training Astera personnel in flexible probe implantation techniques and experimental procedures in rats
  • Contributing to the refinement and next-generation development of flexible neural recording technologies.

Required Qualifications:

  • Junior Specialist - Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) or at least four years of research experience
  • Assistant Specialist - Master's degree or a baccalaureate degree with 3 or more years of research experience
  • Associate Specialist - Master's degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of experience in the relevant specialization
  • Full Specialist - terminal degree (or equivalent degree) or ten or more years of experience in the relevant specialization
  • Experience with or willingness to learn rodent surgical procedures for neural implants
  • Experience working with rodents or other animal models.
  • Experience with data analysis in python
  • Strong experimental and quantitative problem-solving abilities
  • Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environment

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Prior experience with rodent surgery, In vivo electrophysiological data collection, and Neurophysiological data analysis

Please apply online in AP Recruit.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $57,000-$201,700.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).


Job location

San Francisco, CA

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