Company Description:
We are creating the future of brain-computer interfaces: building devices now that have the potential to help people with paralysis regain mobility and independence and invent new technologies that could expand our abilities, our community, and our world.
Team Description:
The Biocompatibility and Analytical Sciences Team is responsible for implementing and operating numerous tests, performing test-method validations, finalizing reports, and supporting R&D activities. We are a dedicated group of highly skilled professionals responsible for ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and compliance of analytical processes and methods used to improve and verify the quality and safety of our devices and facilities. With expertise in various analytical techniques, such as chemical characterization, microbiological testing, and cell-based assay, this team is crucial in maintaining product quality and safety.
Job Description and Responsibilities:
As a Microbiologist, you will work with teams across the Neuralink organization to evaluate biological characteristics of manufacturing processes and finished devices. This role involves various levels of product testing during R&D and release phases to obtain data that may be required for product approvals. Additionally, this data may be used to confirm product safety in accordance with applicable global regulations, regulatory guidelines, or voluntary consensus standards. The primary goal of this position is to assist in the biological characterization of medical devices to support patient safety and facilitate regulatory approval. Responsibilities will include:
- Drafting validations, internal procedures, and test protocols
- Conducting environmental and process monitoring
- Performing laboratory tasks including sample preparation, laboratory testing, method development, inventory management, and developing controls for analysis
- Implementing and operating microbial test methods such as aerobic organism quantitation, yeast/mold quantitation, and genomic identification
- Conducting routine and non-routine testing of materials and products to ensure compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements; this includes performing calibration checks and maintaining documentation
- Validating and monitoring cleaning processes and water systems to ensure product cleanliness
- Managing and monitoring the environmental monitoring program to identify and eliminate potential contamination sources
- Delivering test results related to device biotic characteristics to support manufacturing changes and risk assessments
- Producing laboratory reports that comply with applicable medical device evaluation standards and FDA/ISO guidance documents within a risk-based framework
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to support multiple projects requiring laboratory evaluation, ensuring timely completion of required tasks to meet project schedules
- Analyzing test results to determine data adequacy for internal and external requirements and utilizing problem-solving skills and technical knowledge to troubleshoot unexpected results
- Participating in continuous improvement projects to increase lab efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and improve data quality
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field
- 1-2 years of experience in a microbiology laboratory
- Experience and knowledge of basic microbiology laboratory operations such as culturing, enumeration, and identification
- Ability to perform routine calculations for microbiological analysis and test method validation such as serial dilution, quadrant multiplication, accuracy, precision
- Basic understanding of laboratory safety and the use of engineering controls such as fume hoods and biological safety cabinets
- Demonstrated ability to develop and optimize microbiological processes for efficiency and compliance
- Problem-solving mindset
- Strong written and oral communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, or relevant laboratory regulatory standards (e.g., ISO 17025)
- Experience auditing laboratory or manufacturing spaces
- Experience troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation and equipment
- Experience performing bioanalytical procedures and cell-based assays
- Experience with method validation and transfer
For Full-Time Employees, your compensation package will include two major components: salary and equity. Guidance on salary for this role will be determined according to the level at which you enter the organization, with the ability to gain more over time as you contribute. In addition, Full-Time Employees are eligible for the following benefits listed below.
What We Offer:
- An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and most talented experts from different fields
- Growth potential; we rapidly advance team members who have an outsized impact
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan
- Paid holidays
- Commuter benefits
- Meals provided
- Equity + 401(k) plan *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded
- Parental leave *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded
- Flexible time off *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded
Multiple studies have found that a higher percentage of women and BIPOC candidates won't apply if they don't meet every listed qualification. Neuralink values candidates of all backgrounds. If you find yourself excited by our mission but you don't check every box in the description, we encourage you to apply anyway!
Neuralink provides equal opportunity in all of our employment practices to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military status, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotion, transfer, disciplinary action, layoff, return from layoff, training and social, and recreational programs. All such employment decisions will be made without unlawfully discriminating on any prohibited basis.
If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the interview process, please let us know. Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the application or hiring process that would enable you to fully participate in those processes. Examples of reasonable accommodations include but are not limited to:
- Documents in alternate formats or read aloud to you
- Having interviews in an accessible location
- Being accompanied by a service dog
- Having a sign language interpreter present for the interview
