Postdoctoral Researcher (C. elegans Neural Activity Imaging and Experimentation)

Role: Postdoctoral Researcher (C. elegans Neural Activity Imaging)

Location: San Francisco, CA, USA (On-site)

Start Date: ASAP

Duration: Initial appointment is for 1 year, with extensions (up to a total of 3 years) contingent upon performance

Announcement

We are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position focused on neural activity imaging and behavioral analysis of C. elegans. This role is central to a multi-phase program aiming to record and model neural circuit dynamics with unprecedented fidelity, combining advanced optical microscopy, neural circuit inference, and machine learning.

About

Episteme is a new type of R&D company based in San Francisco. We identify, hire, and bring together exceptional scientific researchers across disciplines and geographies—especially individuals who want to pursue difficult and important problems that do not fit into the purview of traditional institutions. Our aim is to create a new path separate from academia, industry, and government for enabling, translating, and commercializing science into tangible impact.

Overview

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will design and lead experiments that record large-scale neural activity from C. elegans using advanced optical imaging approaches. You will work closely with collaborators in optics, microfluidics, and machine learning to produce high-quality neural activity and behavior datasets that drive the development of circuit-level models. This role is ideal for individuals with strong experimental training in C. elegans behavioral neuroscience, activity imaging and an interest in connecting data to theory.

Research Focus Areas

• Whole-brain and population-level activity imaging in C. elegans (e.g. calcium or voltage indicators)

• Advanced optical microscopy methods for high-throughput, stable recording of small organisms

• Neural circuit analysis linking activity patterns to behavior, stimuli, and sensory/motor function

• Integration of imaging with computational models of neural dynamics

Key Responsibilities

• Design and perform C. elegans neural activity imaging experiments, including indicator selection, sample preparation, and behavioral context design

• Follow a structured research plan, with defined tasks and milestones

• Develop and optimize protocols for stable, long-duration recordings, potentially including microfluidics or optogenetics integration

• Collaborate with optics specialists to customize and maintain microscopes for high-quality data capture

• Develop and test machine learning models for predicting neural activity and behavior from experimental datasets

• Work with computational and ML researchers to align experimental output with modeling requirements

• Disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences

• Contribute to mentoring junior researchers and fostering a collaborative research environment

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Biophysics, Bioengineering, or a related field

• Strong publication record in optical activity imaging applied to neural circuits, ideally in C. elegans or comparable organisms (e.g. zebrafish, Drosophila)

• Required: Demonstrated experience in calcium or voltage imaging for C. elegans

• Preferred: Experience designing C. elegans experiments involving microfluidic sorting or optogenetic stimulation

• Experience designing and executing experiments to link neural activity to behavior or circuit-level conclusions

• Familiarity with data preprocessing and analysis pipelines for large-scale neural imaging datasets

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and organizational skills

• Ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary, collaborative setting with strong interpersonal skills

• Motivation to tackle ambitious, high-risk/high-reward problems at the frontier of neuroscience and AI

• Desire to work in a start-up company research environment

• Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team

Application Instructions

To apply, please upload the following materials along with your application in Ashby:

• Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications

• A statement (max 2 pages) describing your research interests, experience with activity imaging, and your most significant scientific contribution to date

• At least two (up to four) letters of recommendation (to be uploaded directly by letter writers to the link provided after application submission)

We strongly encourage early submissions. Positions will remain open until filled. For questions, please contact Dr. Michael Skuhersky at [email protected].

Additional Information

In addition to competitive salaries, Episteme offers a comprehensive benefits package. You will be part of a collaborative effort bridging neuroscience, machine learning, and advanced imaging, with opportunities for high-impact publications and career advancement.