Large Animal Neuroscience Lead

Job Description

Job Description

About Subsense

Subsense is a deep-tech company developing the world’s first non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. Our mission is to unlock direct communication between the human brain and AI - starting with medical applications such as stroke recovery and moving toward cognitive enhancement for healthy users. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Subsense brings together leading scientists and engineers to redefine the future of human–machine interaction.

The Opportunity

We're looking for a Large Animal Neuroscience Lead to lead the transition of our nanoparticle-based neurotechnology platform from rodents to large animals. This is a hands-on scientific leadership role: you'll run pig neuroscience experiments, manage CRO partnerships, and lead a 3–4-person team. Your initial focus will be rapid, rigorous, acute, non-GLP proof-of-concept studies that establish nanoparticle delivery, neural target engagement, and system performance. You'll work closely with nanoscience, hardware, software, data science, and R&D leadership to adapt research hardware, evaluate intranasal administration, and turn experimental results into clear development decisions.

• Design and execute acute, non-GLP pig neuroscience studies, defining controls, endpoints, and success criteria that separate nanoparticle delivery, activation, and neural response
• Work hands-on in the operating room on stereotactic targeting, experimental instrumentation, stimulation, and electrophysiological recordings alongside veterinary and surgical teams
• Lead a 3–4-person group of scientists and research staff, setting priorities, coordinating study days, and providing practical training, mentorship, and performance feedback
• Select and manage contract research organizations (CROs) and academic partners, owning study scopes, protocols, budgets, timelines, on-site execution, and data quality
• Translate rodent methods into large-animal workflows; work with hardware engineers on prototype requirements, positioning, calibration, synchronization, and troubleshooting
• Establish reliable neural readouts and analysis workflows, distinguishing true biological responses from stimulation artifacts and physiological confounds
• Coordinate animal-use protocols, training, humane endpoints, and study documentation with institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs) and veterinary teams
• Connect physiology with imaging, particle-localization measurements, and tissue analysis to assess target engagement and acute tissue effects
• Deliver clear study reports and reproducible datasets that support technical decisions, development milestones, and investor diligence

Must-have experience

• A PhD in neuroscience, neuroengineering, biomedical engineering, or a related field; alternatively, an MD, DVM, or other suitable advanced degree with substantial relevant research experience
• A track record of independently designing and executing in-vivo neuroscience studies, with substantial hands-on experience in pigs and other large animals
• Practical experience with large-animal neurophysiology, stereotactic procedures, and neural recording or stimulation; confidence troubleshooting during live experiments
• Strong experimental-design and quantitative-analysis skills, including appropriate controls, artifact identification, and interpretation of electrophysiological data
• Experience managing CROs or comparable external research partners, including study planning, execution oversight, and evaluation of deliverables
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a small research team while remaining actively involved in experiments
• Experience working with veterinary teams and institutional animal-care and use processes, with a strong commitment to animal welfare and data integrity
• Ability to collaborate across neuroscience, nanoscience, and engineering and deliver well-documented results in a fast-paced, early-stage environment
• U.S.-based, with the ability to work on-site at study facilities and travel to CRO and partner sites as needed
• Clear written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate methods, results, and limitations to technical and nontechnical audiences

• Intranasal or nose-to-brain delivery, nanoparticle biodistribution, or quantitative tissue-localization methods
• Deep brain stimulation, movement-disorder neuroscience, or other neuromodulation technologies, including optical or magnetic approaches
• MRI/CT-guided targeting, histology, or electrophysiology analysis in Python or MATLAB
• Experience translating rodent methods or neurotechnology prototypes to large animals, or connecting non-GLP feasibility work to later regulated preclinical development

Why You’ll Thrive

You'd be joining a small team developing a non-surgical, bidirectional brain-computer interface powered by plasmonic and magnetoelectric nanoparticles. You’ll help translate early research into working technology, with the opportunity to influence both the platform and how we build it.

A few things that make this different:

• Own meaningful technical work: Take projects from early R&D through functional prototypes, with room to test ideas, solve complex problems, and shape design decisions.
• Build across disciplines: Work hands-on with ultrasound, electronics, and instrumentation alongside scientists and engineers in neuroscience, nanotechnology, and AI.
• Help shape a novel platform: Contribute to technology with the potential to restore neurological function and, over time, enable direct brain-to-AI communication.
• Make a visible impact: Join a team where your contributions directly influence technical progress, with equity that lets you share in the company’s growth.

Our work takes place across labs in Palo Alto and Mountain View. We offer a competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k), commuter benefits, and paid time off.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.