The Research Associate will support ongoing research projects related to neurodegenerative and neurological diseases, including performing histological techniques and conducting behavioral testing. The role also involves maintaining mouse colonies and carrying out independent experiments with data analysis.
Requirements summary
Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, neuroscience, or bioengineering, along with relevant experience or a strong interest in neuroscience research. Strong organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to work independently, are essential.
bachelor degreeCommunication SkillsProject ManagementData AnalysisAttention to DetailMachine LearningData VisualizationPCRSurgical TechniquesElectrophysiologyImmunohistochemistryWestern BlotBehavioral TestingELISAHistological TechniquesRodent HandlingNeuroscience Research
Job description
Category
Science
Lab/Area:
Palop
Lab
Description:
Research
Associate
I-
Palop
Lab
Who we are: The Gladstone Institutes is a distinguished independent, not-for-profit research institution dedicated to advancing human health through cutting-edge medical research and education. Our work spans neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, immunology, and stem cell biology, with a focus on overcoming disease. With a team of approximately 600 members, including renowned leaders in science and biomedicine, Gladstone operates across five institutes, alongside various centers and programs. Located at the Mission Bay Campus in an award-winning building, Gladstone offers competitive salaries and benefits, providing an optimal environment for individuals to realize their full potential and make a meaningful impact on global health
About the role: The Gladstone Institutes is an independent, not-for-profit research institution affiliated with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), contributing to the health and well-being of all people through medical research, education, and outreach in the areas of heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and neurological disease. Gladstone is composed of five separate institutes and approximately 400 employees. Our employees receive exceptional benefits. We are located in an award-winning building adjacent to UCSF's Mission Bay Campus. Gladstone has consistently ranked as one of the top places to work in academia in the United States. The Palop Lab at the Gladstone Institutes and UCSF is seeking a Research Associate to assist in studies focusing on cognitive and neuronal network dysfunction in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. This role centers on developing computational and machine learning approaches to analyze mouse behavior (VAME; Miller et al., 2024; PMC12010505; Honma et al., 2025 PMC12642565) and simultaneously-collected neural activity (e.g. EEG/EMG, LFP, single/multi-unit recordings, calcium imaging), while supporting postdoctoral scholars and Ph.D. students with data analysis and interpretation. Depending on interests, skills, and career plans, the successful candidate may also carry out independent projects and receive training to perform specialized analytical techniques such as brain oscillation analysis, neuronal spike sorting, and running mouse behavioral assays. This position also offers the opportunity to implement machine learning approaches for behavioral phenotyping with the Gladstone Behavioral Core.
What you will do: Maintain and develop computational pipelines for mouse pose estimation, behavioral segmentation and sequencing, and neural time series data. Perform and optimize scripts for data analysis, statistics, and visualization Integrate behavioral and neurophysiological datasets using machine learning approaches Maintain and contribute to open-source tools for mouse behavioral phenotyping ( )
What you will need: Bachelor’s degree in biological or computational sciences, with some relevant neuroscience experience Experience in Python, MATLAB, or machine learning toolboxes Experience writing custom scripts for data analysis and visualization Goal-oriented team player able to contribute to multiple projects independently or under supervision. Organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated. Eager to learn, passionate about neuroscience, and ready to make meaningful contributions to science.
What is
Preferred: Experience with pose estimation (e.g., DeepLabCut, SLEAP) and segmentation (e.g. VAME, Moseq) tools Familiarity with neurophysiology data (e.g., EEG, LFP, single-unit, calcium imaging) Experience with mouse behavioral testing Statistical software experience (Prism,
SPSS)
What you will need to submit: Current post-baccalaureate candidates and members of marginalized groups are encouraged to apply. Please submit a cover letter, CV, and names of 2-3 references. Please also send these materials to jorge.palop@gladstone.ucsf.edu with subject line “Research Associate I – Palop Lab”.
Salary Range
$58K-$67K Gladstone Perks & Benefits People–work with talented, committed, and supportive teammates within an organization that values each member of its community. A meaningful place to grow and learn–whether it’s your professional skills or scientific knowledge, we have the resources and environment to advance either so you can better support Gladstone’s mission to drive a new era of discovery in disease-oriented science and to mentor tomorrow’s leaders in an inspiring and excellent environment. Healthy work/life balance–you are highly engaged and productive at work because you can have time to recharge and enjoy a vibrant life outside of work. Compensation–competitive salary. Title and salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Excellent benefits–generous medical, dental, vision, retirement plan, paid vacation, commuter benefits, access to free shuttle transportation. Gladstone is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other non-job related characteristic. We make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment. Based in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood, Gladstone is an independent state-of-the-art biomedical research institution that empowers its world-class scientists to find new pathways to cures.
