Meridial – Scientist – In Vivo Neuroscience

About Meridial

 

Meridial is a Focused Research Organisation (FRO) with a mission to bring connectomics into the living brain. We are building a platform for longitudinal, synapse-resolution mapping of functional neural circuitry in preclinical models. Our aim is to deploy this platform for translational projects and improve drug development outcomes for disorders of the central nervous system. 

 

Meridial is a new not-for-profit FRO in the Convergent Research Ecosystem and funded by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).

 

About the role

 

Meridial is seeking a Scientist – In Vivo Neuroscience to play a central role in establishing and running our in vivo experiments.

 

This is a hands-on scientific role focused on the development and execution of advanced in vivo neuroscience experiments. You will perform complex neurosurgery, longitudinal two-photon imaging and optogenetic experiments in mice, and develop new approaches as part of Meridial’s programme to create advanced 3D imaging and photostimulation technologies for functional mapping of neural circuits. We are looking for an exceptional experimentalist who combines substantial practical expertise with scientific independence. We would also welcome candidates who combine these experimental skills with substantial expertise in neural data analysis.

 

You will report to the Director of Experimental Research and work closely with them to build the lab. You will play a central role in establishing our core surgical, imaging and optogenetic protocols and the quality standards that underpin them. As the team grows over the coming year, you will train and mentor other scientists, guide their day-to-day experimental work and help shape how the team works together. You will also work closely with engineers and computational researchers across Meridial.

In vivo experimentation

Perform complex survival neurosurgery in mice, including stereotaxic viral injections; cranial-window, GRIN-lens and prism implantation; and preparation of animals for chronic imaging and optogenetic manipulation experiments. Perform high-quality in vivo two-photon imaging, including longitudinal imaging of the same animals over weeks to months. Design and run optogenetic experiments to interrogate and manipulate neural circuits. Oversee animal colony management, working with the animal facility staff responsible for day-to-day husbandry, to ensure appropriate breeding, colony planning and high standards of animal welfare. Monitor experimental quality and animal welfare throughout longitudinal studies and identify sources of variability or failure.

Method and platform development

Define and establish detailed experimental protocols, SOPs and workflows. Optimise surgical and experimental procedures to improve preparation quality, experimental success rates, reproducibility and long-term stability. Develop, test and validate new surgical, imaging and experimental approaches. Troubleshoot complex problems systematically and set quantitative quality-control criteria. Evaluate emerging technologies, molecular tools and experimental methods relevant to Meridial’s platform. Contribute scientific expertise to the specification, testing and improvement of microscopes, behavioural apparatus and other experimental systems in collaboration with the Engineering Team. Work with the Computational Team to integrate experimental design, data acquisition and analysis, and to make sure data and metadata meet the standards needed for open sharing. Help develop and apply analysis approaches for imaging and optogenetic data, from data-quality assessment to the interpretation of neural activity and connectivity.

Scientific contribution and team development

Contribute to experimental design and interpretation across Meridial's research programmes. Train and mentor other team members in surgical, imaging and experimental techniques. Maintain thorough experimental documentation and promote high standards of rigour, reproducibility and animal welfare. Communicate findings, technical challenges and recommendations clearly to colleagues across disciplines.

PhD in neuroscience, neurobiology, physiology, neuroengineering or a related discipline, or equivalent research experience. 5+ years’ experience performing in vivo two-photon microscopy experiments in mice, including survival stereotaxic surgery with intracranial viral injections and chronic cranial-window preparations. Demonstrated ability to achieve consistently high-quality chronic preparations suitable for longitudinal experiments. Practical understanding of viral-vector and genetic approaches commonly used to study neural circuits. A track record of developing, troubleshooting or substantially improving experimental methods, not only applying established protocols. Ability to translate scientific questions into well-controlled experimental designs. Experience training or mentoring researchers in experimental techniques. Working proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB for experimental control, data-quality assessment or analysis. If you do not already hold a UK Home Office Personal Licence covering the relevant procedures, willingness to complete the required training before starting the role. Meridial will cover the costs of the required training and licence application. Candidates trained under another national regulatory framework are very welcome. Strong commitment to animal welfare, the 3Rs and rigorous experimental practice. Strong communication, organisation and collaborative working skills.

Experience with any of the following would be particularly valuable:

Experimental

10+ years’ experience with survival surgery and in vivo neuroscience experiments in mice. Longitudinal two-photon imaging of the same neural populations, cellular compartments or synaptic structures over weeks or months. In vivo imaging of dendrites, axons, boutons or other subcellular structures. Design and execution of optogenetic experiments. All-optical circuit interrogation, two-photon and holographic optogenetics. Advanced optical methods, such as three-photon microscopy, adaptive optics, deep-brain imaging or specialised chronic optical preparations. Design and optimisation of AAV, rabies-virus or other viral-vector strategies for neural labelling, imaging, manipulation or tracing, including monosynaptic rabies tracing or other transsynaptic circuit mapping. Histology, immunohistochemistry and confocal or fluorescence microscopy for anatomical validation of preparations and viral expression. In vivo or ex vivo intracellular electrophysiology (particularly whole-cell or targeted patch-clamp recording), including in combination with two-photon imaging and optogenetics. Spatial transcriptomics, single-cell spatial profiling or related molecular approaches for linking functional, anatomical and molecular information. Head-fixed behavioural experiments and integration of behavioural paradigms with imaging or optogenetic manipulation. A current UK Home Office Personal Licence covering the relevant procedures. Microscope alignment, optical troubleshooting or modification of custom two-photon imaging systems. Development of automated or quantitative experimental quality-control procedures. Setting up a new laboratory or establishing experimental workflows from scratch.

Data analysis and computation

Processing pipelines for two-photon imaging data. Spike inference or deconvolution from calcium or voltage imaging data. Tracking cells, dendrites or synapses across imaging sessions in longitudinal datasets. Statistical modelling of neural data, such as encoding and decoding models, population analysis or dimensionality reduction. Inferring functional connectivity from imaging, perturbation or photostimulation data. Machine-learning approaches for image or neural-data analysis. Reproducible software practices for large datasets. Preparing experimental data for open sharing.

Fine motor skills for operating computers and office/lab equipment Ability to move light-to-moderately heavy items (typical lab supplies/equipment); may include occasional lifting/carrying with appropriate equipment (e.g., carts/dollies)

You are an experimental scientist who enjoys solving difficult technical and biological problems and holds yourself to the highest standards of surgical and experimental quality. You are comfortable taking ownership of an experimental challenge. That means understanding why a preparation or measurement needs improving, developing a strategy to address it, testing alternatives systematically and turning the solution into a reliable method that others can use.

Joining at a formative stage, you will enjoy building, and you will be comfortable with the ambiguity of an early-stage organisation. You will have considerable autonomy and will be expected to bring both scientific judgement and ideas about how Meridial’s experimental platform should evolve. You will also enjoy working closely with engineers and computational researchers and sharing expertise across disciplines. If your strengths extend into quantitative or computational methods, these would be a valuable addition to the role.

Application materials: CV/resume + cover letter 2 references will be requested during interviews Generous Benefits will be communicated in interviews For exceptional candidates, Meridial will consider visa sponsorship and relocation support.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and 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 characteristic protected by applicable law or company policy. We strive for a diverse, healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.