Research Associate

E11 Bio is on a mission to advance connectomics towards whole brain scale for humans and other mammals. We are a collaborative and interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers engaged in a neuroscience moonshot project to develop a radical technology platform for scalable mammalian brain mapping. E11 Bio is a non-profit Convergent Research focused research organization located in Alameda, California, pursuing blue-skies neuroscience research yet operating like a nimble, tight-knit start-up. Read our technology roadmap.   High quality tissue samples are the foundation of our science. We are seeking a hands-on in vivo senior technician to take full ownership of our animal perfusions and in vivo workflows. This role is responsible for executing and continuously improving perfusion, fixation, and injection protocols, including preparation of perfusates and active troubleshooting of tissue-quality issues. Working closely with experimental scientists, this person will help design, execute, and debug in vivo labeling experiments, and will play a central role in ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of tissue used for our mission to map the mouse brain.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of all animal perfusions, including preparation of perfusates, execution of procedures, troubleshooting tissue-quality issues, and continuous improvement of fixation protocols.
• Execute and support in vivo surgical workflows, including stereotaxic and retro-orbital viral injections, post-operative monitoring, and animal welfare documentation.
• Apply scientific training  to monitor, control, and systematically optimize key in vivo and perfusion parameters for tissue labeling + preservation.
• Collaborate closely with experimental scientists to design, execute, and troubleshoot in vivo labeling experiments, contributing technical judgment and experimental insight.
• Perform routine animal health checks and husbandry tasks as needed, with attention to health or behavioral changes that may impact experimental outcomes.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, reproducible protocols, and operational readiness of perfusion and surgical equipment.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative lab culture and run small, focused experimental projects.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience performing animal perfusions using PFA or related fixatives for neuroscience or brain tissue applications, with the ability to produce consistent, high-quality tissue.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn, independently own, and optimize complex biological workflows, including diagnosing and resolving tissue-quality or protocol failures.
• Experience with rodent handling, restraint, and basic health assessment in a research setting.
• Strong record of reliability, precision, and careful experimental documentation.
• Clear communication skills and a proven ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary research teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mechanical or technical aptitude for maintaining, adjusting, or troubleshooting perfusion rigs, surgical setups, and related laboratory hardware.
• Experience with in vivo surgical techniques such as stereotaxic or retro-orbital viral injections (or strong interest and aptitude to train into these methods).
• Familiarity with downstream histology, imaging, or molecular tissue workflows.
• Interest in neuroscience and connectomics, with motivation to contribute to technically demanding, high-impact research.

In the first 3 months…

• By 1 month: You will have taken on core colony management at E11 (breeding, weaning, genotyping workflows, health checks, record keeping), completed training in stereotaxic and retro-orbital injections, and be learning and performing perfusions at our baseline quality level under supervision.
• After 2 months: You will be independently performing perfusions and generating consistent, high-quality tissue. You will be running routine surgeries with good survival and recovery, and managing the colony reliably end-to-end.
• After 3 months: You will be piloting controlled perturbations to the perfusion workflow—adjusting pressure, flow, temperature, perfusate composition, cannula/needle configurations—and documenting QC outcomes to improve ultrastructure, RNA retention, and protein preservation.
• After 1 year: You will own and direct execution and scheduling of perfusions at E11. You will be routinely producing well QCed tissue .

We offer:

• An opportunity to help change the world and work with some of the most talented and collaborative experts across scientific fields.
• An opportunity to gain experience on a field-defining moonshot effort.
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan; parental leave.
• Generous time off + paid holidays.
• 401K matching up to 6% of base salary
• Ample healthy and energizing food including daily lunches.
• Stipend for fitness and wellness activities. E11 Bio, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.