---
title: 'Interim Controller (Contract) at Astera Institute'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/interim-controller-contract-astera-institute-emeryville-qxm84zc88kfj'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Interim Controller (Contract) at Astera Institute

- **Company:** Astera Institute
- **Location:** Emeryville, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-07-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera/fbd4a646-f18b-4fe5-bd78-a2756dfdaf32

## Job description

## ABOUT US

Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress.

Unlike traditional non-profit research organizations, projects supported by Astera operate like high-velocity startups, allowing us to focus on ambitious goals, match structure to problem, and attract strong technical talent and leadership. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming here https://astera.org/vision/.

## POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for a mission- and culturally-aligned finance and accounting leader to cover our Controller's planned leave of absence and own Astera's finance function end-to-end during that period.

The engagement runs from September 2026 through June 2027. We intend to start ahead of the leave to allow for a substantial overlap and handoff with the Controller, so you'll build deep context before taking the reins. During the coverage period, you'll own accounting, treasury, compliance, and FP&A, with one direct report (an Accounting Manager).

Astera has doubled to 100 FTEs since December 2025 and projects growth to 300 by the end of 2027. If the fit is right on both sides, this role is well-positioned to convert into a permanent role —partnering with investment, operations, and programs leadership to provide support to our 30 internal projects (ranging from $1M to $20M yearly each) and our external grantees.

This is ideal for a finance leader who thrives in dynamic, entrepreneurial environments, is comfortable stepping into full ownership quickly, and is energized by the possibility of helping build the financial foundation of a high-impact, experimental organization for the long run.

This role reports to the COO of the Foundation Division.

## KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

During the coverage period, you'll own Finance end-to-end:

- Drive Financial Operations: Manage agreements and payments across vendors, payroll, grants, and investments. Work directly in Ramp, our spend management platform, to ensure data accuracy. Establish and revise program budgets and grants.
- Lead Financial Reporting and Compliance: Oversee the preparation of accurate, timely financial statements and ensure successful completion of taxes and annual audits by managing relationships with accounting, audit, and tax partners.
- Lead FP&A: Partner with budget leads and Astera leadership on financial analysis, including budget-to-actuals reporting and deep-dive analyses.
- Oversee the Balance Sheet and Treasury: Collaborate with internal and external partners to monitor and report on Astera's investment portfolio, supporting informed decision-making and risk management.

We're also looking for someone who will:

- Continuously improve systems: The landscape is changing rapidly, and this role should be excited to strive for best-in-class financial systems that improve the team's efficiency and effectiveness.
- Teach and learn from others: We care about professional development, and we're looking for someone excited to uplevel the full finance team.
- Flex to "unknown unknowns": Astera is a new kind of philanthropic organization that doesn't constrain itself in how it delivers impact. This role will need to flex to emerging needs across the finance and operations stack.

## QUALIFICATIONS

- ~8–12 years of experience in accounting, financial management and strategic finance, preferably with a combination of experience in professional services plus startups.
- Motivated by enabling science that could reshape the future.
- Exceptional relationship orientation and verbal + written communication.
- Gives and receives feedback well.
- Comfortable operating outside a fixed job description and thriving in a startup-like environment.
- Eagerness to use AI and new technology as an opportunity to improve effectiveness.
- Bias to action and experimentation.
- Commitment to high standards, ownership, and tenacious problem solving.

## LOCATION

This role is based at our Emeryville, CA office 5 days per week. This role could possibly become a hybrid 3 days per week between January and June 2027; however, should the role convert to full-time after June 2027, the expectation is 5 days per week.

## About Astera Institute

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Astera Institute is a nonprofit organization that funds and conducts high-impact scientific research and engineering projects focused on neuroscience, artificial general intelligence (AGI), and open science to accelerate positive futures for humanity.
- **Entity Type**: Private nonprofit (501(c)(3) private foundation)
- **Headquarters**: Berkeley, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Jed McCaleb (also co-founder of Stellar Development Foundation and founder of Vast)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Research services, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, life sciences, grantmaking
- **Target customers**: Not applicable (nonprofit; serves the research community and the public through open science and foundational advances)
- **Mission / purpose**: Empower visionary, high-leverage science and technology projects with the capacity to create transformative progress for human civilization. Focus on areas like AGI, science, and climate that lack natural homes in the existing innovation ecosystem.

## Products & Services
Astera operates three main divisions (not commercial products):
- **Neuro & AGI**: Directed neuroscience and AI research effort to understand biological intelligence and engineer safe, successful general intelligence systems. [astera.org](https://astera.org/)
- **Radial**: Life sciences research division that funds and runs high-impact fundamental scientific challenges, testing new models for how science is conducted. [astera.org](https://astera.org/)
- **Foundation**: Centralized operational, financial support, and ecosystem-building for Neuro-AI, Science, and Strategic Investments. Also leads Residency and Fellowship programs. [astera.org](https://astera.org/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit)
- **Key Metrics**: 
  - **Total assets** (2023): $2,003,858,714 [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/)
  - **Total expenses** (2023): $27,504,754 [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/)
  - **Investment income and dividends** (2023): $58,598,494 [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/)
  - **Headcount**: 55 employees (+63.4% YoY) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Funded primarily by founder Jed McCaleb (grants contributed $131M in 2022). Key leaders include Prachee Avasthi (Head of Open Science), Doris Tsao (Chief Scientist – Neuro), Seemay Chou (CEO – Radial), and Dileep George (Co-Founder, Neuro & AGI). [astera.org](https://astera.org/team/)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - 63.4% employee growth year-over-year (55 people) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
  - 23 active job postings (up 1050% YoY) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
  - LinkedIn followers grew 128.9% yearly [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
  - Presence in Netherlands and United Kingdom [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique model**: Nonprofit foundation that internally incubates and directly funds high-risk, high-leverage research across neuroscience, AI, and life sciences — without the pressure of commercial returns.
- **Top-tier leadership**: Led by accomplished scientists (e.g., Doris Tsao, Dileep George) and experienced operators from organizations like Stellar, Google, and Arcadia Science. [astera.org](https://astera.org/team/)
- **Open science focus**: Strong commitment to open access research and new models for scientific collaboration, attracting talent who value transparency and impact.
- **Substantial capital base**: Over $2B in assets provides long-term runway for ambitious, multi-year projects.

## Strategic Focus
- Deepen understanding of biological intelligence through large-scale neural circuit analysis and causal manipulation (Neuro & AGI). [astera.org](https://astera.org/)
- Continue incubation of radical science projects via Radial, particularly in aging, biotech, and platforms. [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/)
- Expand the Residency and Fellowship programs to attract diverse scientific and engineering talent. [astera.org](https://astera.org/)
- Scale operations and hiring: current job postings span roles from vivarium operations manager to research scientists in energy-based models and distributed simulation systems. [jobs.ashbyhq.com](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera)

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven work**: Directly contribute to foundational research that could reshape humanity’s future with AGI and novel science.
- **Benefits**: Full-time W2 employees receive top-tier medical/dental/vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plans, long-term disability plan, health/dependent-care FSAs, and commuter pre-tax accounts. [astera.org](https://astera.org/careers/)
- **Culture**: Described as an equal opportunity employer committed to equity and inclusion, encouraging diverse applicants. Emphasis on open science, experimentation, and high-leverage impact. [astera.org](https://astera.org/careers/)
- **Work setup**: Headquarters in Berkeley, CA; also has staff in the Netherlands and UK. Specific remote/hybrid policy not disclosed but multiple job postings suggest flexible arrangements.
- **Team composition**: Highly technical and research-oriented (21 researchers, 10 technical staff, 6 medical). Staff previously from Google, Stanford, UCSF, Arcadia Science, Relay Therapeutics. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute)
- **Rapid growth**: 63% YoY headcount increase and 1050% growth in job postings signal an expanding organization with ample career opportunities.

## Sources
1. [astera.org](https://astera.org/) – Homepage and division descriptions
2. [astera.org](https://astera.org/team/) – Leadership team details
3. [astera.org](https://astera.org/careers/) – Benefits and culture
4. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/astera-institute) – Company page with headcount, growth, job postings, and talent sources
5. [causeiq.com](https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/astera-institute,845162617/) – Financials (990-PF: revenues, expenses, assets, program areas)
6. [jobs.ashbyhq.com](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera) – Active open positions list

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