Scientist - In Vivo and Biocompatibility

Job Title: Scientist - In Vivo and Biocompatibility

Department: BCI - PreClinical

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Salt Lake City, UT (Onsite)

Our Mission

Blackrock Neurotech is 100% focused on improving human lives through neuroscience research and technology. The passion and dedication behind this mission has nurtured a dynamic, enjoyable and fulfilling corporate environment in which learning, and growth are commonplace. We operate in an innovative field that requires our staff to meet the highest standards. Every step of the way, we encourage one another by providing continuous motivation and promoting a healthy work environment.

Community Contributions

Not only are Blackrock's employees committed to improving lives through their work, but many also strive to improve the community by volunteering in their spare time. Our efforts vary from donating blood and feeding the hungry to volunteering at the Utah Food Bank. We also value community education -teaching science labs to children, coaching sports teams, and teaching first aid courses. We take pride in our employee's extracurricular activities that contribute to the betterment of local communities.

Disclosure

In order to provide a safe and productive work environment, all offers of employment at Blackrock Neurotech are contingent upon a thorough background check. A criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate from an offer of employment.

About the role

The Scientist - In Vivo and Biocompatibility will be a key member of the Preclinical testing team, responsible for leading the design, execution, and analysis of in vivo studies that support the development of next-generation brain-computer interface technologies. This role focuses on evaluating the safety, performance, and biological response of chronically/acutely implanted neural devices through rigorous biocompatibility testing, electrophysiological studies, and large-scale data analysis.

The successful candidate will serve as a cross-functional bridge between teams contributing to ethical compliance, regulatory documentation, and innovation in neural implant evaluation. This position is ideal for a scientifically driven, surgically adept, detail-oriented individual with deep expertise in neural interfaces, preclinical models, and biocompatibility standards.

What you'll do

• Design, execute, and lead in vivo animal studies to evaluate device safety, performance, electrophysiology, and long-term tissue response in models including rodents, sheep, ovine and non-human primates etc.
• Evolve into the subject matter expert on biological evaluations per ISO 10993, including systemic toxicity, irritation, sensitization, and chronic implantation effects.
• Prepare and submit ethics applications and protocols to institutional IACUC committees and maintain compliance with local, national, and international guidelines on animal research.
• Manage ethics submissions, amendments, and renewals, ensuring alignment with research goals and study timelines.
• Oversee or perform neural implantation surgeries and guide post-operative care and monitoring of neurological function and animal welfare.
• Lead electrophysiological studies including recording neural activity, stimulation, and signal characterization over chronic timepoints.
• Drive large-scale data analysis pipelines for evaluating neural signal quality, device performance metrics, and tissue-device interactions.
• Coordinate histopathological assessments, tissue processing, and interpretation of foreign body response and integration of neural implants.
• Design, execute, and document both GLP and non-GLP preclinical studies in compliance with regulatory and scientific standards.
• Collaborate with external CROs, academic partners, and regulatory consultants to ensure high-quality preclinical data generation and documentation.
• Generate technical reports and contribute to preclinical sections of regulatory submissions (e.g., IDE, PMA).
• Mentor and train junior researchers in surgical techniques, data acquisition, analysis tools, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• MS in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of experience in preclinical and in vivo study.
• Demonstrated expertise in implantable neural interfaces, biocompatibility, and host tissue response.
• Experience with electrophysiological recordings and large neural data analysis.
• Strong understanding of GLP compliance, and FDA preclinical guidance.
• Hands-on experience with neurosurgical procedures and post-operative care in small and/or large animal models.
• Proven ability to manage IACUC protocols, ethics submissions, and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Experience conducting and documenting GLP and/or non-GLP studies.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills for producing reports and supporting regulatory submissions.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field with 2+ years of experience in preclinical and in vivo study.
• Experience working with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) or other active implantable neuro-technologies.
• Familiarity with histology, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis of explanted tissues.
• Prior experience developing or optimizing data analysis pipelines for neural signal quality or device performance metrics.
• Experience interacting with regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA) or contributing to IDE or PMA submissions.
• Experience conducting and documenting GLP and non-GLP studies.
• Experience mentoring junior staff or leading small research teams.
• Reasonable understanding of ISO 10993 standards.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Driver's License Required.
• Need to be able to drive 1-2 hours at a time.
• Will need to drive to CRO for animal studies anywhere from 1-2 times a months to 1-2 times a week.
• Some travel for conferences.
• Ability to work in an office setting.
• Ability to work in an operating theatre (sterile environment).
• Sitting and standing while typing.
• Ability to work in an animal research environment.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.