About the job
At Merge Labs, we are pioneering the intersection of biological and artificial intelligence, aiming to enhance human potential, agency, and overall experience. Our innovative research focuses on creating fundamentally new brain-computer interfaces that provide high-bandwidth interaction with the brain, seamlessly integrate with advanced AI, and prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.
Team Overview
Our Bio team is at the forefront of designing, constructing, and characterizing the biotechnologies essential for next-generation brain-computer interfaces. We utilize molecular engineering, synthetic biology, and neuroscience, along with advanced physical techniques such as ultrasound, to forge less invasive, high-bandwidth connections with neuronal structures. The Bio team is responsible for developing our core molecular technologies, validating their efficacy both in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrating their advanced functionalities through animal model studies. We thrive on collaboration, working closely with engineers and data scientists, and fostering interdisciplinary creativity to tackle some of biotechnology's most pressing challenges.
Role Overview
In the position of Scientist in Cell Biology, you will be tasked with engineering neurons and various cell types to express innovative molecular biosensors and actuators, assessing their roles in enabling cellular interaction with ultrasound. Your research will encompass the study of biosensor expression, localization, degradation, and their effects on cellular function and health. You will devise protocols for cell culture, analysis, microscopy, and interactions with physical energies such as ultrasound. Your contributions will play a critical role in advancing groundbreaking molecular technologies geared towards neural interfacing and accelerating their clinical application.
Key Responsibilities
Optimize and maintain mammalian cell preparations, including cell lines, primary and iPSC-derived neurons, brain organoids, or brain slices.
Collaboratively innovate and construct novel protein and genetic constructs to facilitate biosensing and/or actuating capabilities.
Develop and execute cell engineering workflows, encompassing construct delivery, selection, and differentiation processes.
Characterize construct functionality and assess cellular impact using techniques such as activity recording, microscopy, stimulation, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and next-gen sequencing.
Engage in collaborations with cross-disciplinary teams, integrating expertise from protein engineering, biochemistry, cell biology, neuroscience, and genetics.
