---
title: 'Lead Scientist, Primate Whole-Brain Mapping & Atlas Development at Astera Institute'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/lead-scientist-primate-whole-brain-mapping-atlas-development-astera-institute-cxkjfnk72fvb'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Lead Scientist, Primate Whole-Brain Mapping & Atlas Development at Astera Institute

- **Company:** Astera Institute
- **Location:** Alameda, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-17
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/astera/8e17d41a-5499-4af3-bbf6-7289e66a6552

## Job description

Company Overview

Astera Neuro seeks to understand and engineer consciousness. We believe consciousness is the process by which the brain builds a coherent internal model of the world and the self. We aim to understand this model and to develop the technologies to write experience directly into the brain. By combining large-scale neural recording, causal perturbation, and brain-based AI, we seek to move neuroscience from observing correlates of experience to engineering it. The same tools carry direct therapeutic promise for neurological and psychiatric diseases that alter perception, thought, and sense of self. Because the science and tools required do not yet exist, we are assembling a founding team of neuroscientists, theorists, and engineers to create them. We do high-risk, high-reward science in a well-resourced, collaborative environment with competitive pay, and share everything openly under Astera's Open Science Policy.

Position Summary

We are seeking a scientific leader to spearhead an ambitious program to map the primate brain at high resolution and to integrate anatomy, connectivity, physiology, and computational modeling into a single, openly available atlas. The successful candidate will lead both internal efforts and external collaborations, working across the Astera Neuro team to build a resource that advances our understanding of brain structure and function. Animal wellbeing is foundational to this work, supported by dedicated veterinary and behavioral care staff and rigorous welfare standards.

## What You’ll Do

- Build a high-resolution, whole-brain anatomical map of the primate brain.
- Chart the projectome, the brain’s long-range axonal connectivity, in coordination with contracted external partners.
- Build a unified, high-resolution anatomical and functional atlas, registering and integrating electrophysiology and imaging data alongside colleagues across the Astera Neuro team.
- Deliver an openly accessible release of the atlas, built with the software engineering team for the broader scientific community and the public.
- Develop anatomically grounded computational models of the brain, together with the NeuroAI team.

## Who You Are

Required:

- PhD with 12+ years of experience in neuroscience, medical sciences, biology, biomedical engineering, or a related field, or equivalent research experience.
- Deep expertise in in vivo imaging of the primate brain, ideally including awake fMRI at high (sub-millimeter) spatial resolution.
- A strong record of independent research with major contributions to primate neuroimaging, systems neuroscience, or comparative brain mapping.
- Experience integrating multimodal data: registering functional imaging, electrophysiology, and anatomy into common, high-resolution reference frames.
- Familiarity with brain-wide connectivity, including functional and effective connectivity and circuit-tracing approaches relevant to charting the projectome.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the development of novel analytical methods for comparative or large-scale neuroimaging.
- A commitment to open, reproducible science and to making tools, data, and atlases broadly available.

Preferred/Nice to Have:

- A record of pioneering or developing imaging technology, such as phased-array receive coils or emerging modalities like functional ultrasound imaging (fUSI).
- Expertise in causal, reversible perturbation methods in primates (optogenetics, microstimulation, or TMS) combined with imaging to probe effective connectivity.
- Experience with comparative human and primate imaging and cross-species homology mapping.
- Contributions to open, large-scale neuroscience infrastructure or shared data resources.
- Background in or close collaboration with computational modeling and NeuroAI efforts.

Additionally Expected at Senior / Principal Level

- Demonstrated leadership of large, multi-institution research programs or consortia, coordinating across internal teams and external partners and vendors.
- A track record of mentoring PhD students and postdoctoral researchers and shaping the research agenda of a team or center.
- Experience securing and managing substantial research funding, infrastructure, and operational logistics for large-scale data efforts.

## Why Join Us

Lead an ambitious program to map the primate brain at high resolution and build a single, openly available atlas that unites anatomy, connectivity, physiology, and computational modeling. Join Astera Neuro to advance our understanding of brain structure and function.

Astera Neuro provides a comprehensive benefits package and total compensation that is competitive and commensurate with the level of experience and qualifications.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion!

## 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

## Other roles at Astera Institute

- [Open Science Data Steward](https://feeny.ai/job/open-science-data-steward-astera-institute-emeryville-an38zx6jn5yj) — Emeryville, CA
- [Open Science Policy and Operations Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/open-science-policy-and-operations-manager-astera-institute-emeryville-e9favr4btbyy) — Emeryville, CA
- [Probe Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/probe-engineer-astera-institute-alameda-v8cj3qr564xq) — Alameda, CA
- [Scientific Writer, Life Science (Radial)](https://feeny.ai/job/scientific-writer-life-science-radial-astera-institute-emeryville-fs8456g7v3fx) — Emeryville, CA
- [Principal AI Scientist (Polytope Bio)](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-ai-scientist-polytope-bio-astera-institute-remote-5wqeq3z45wdk)
- [Senior Research Associate or Scientist 1 (Polytope Bio)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-research-associate-or-scientist-1-polytope-bio-astera-institute-dcpccg9h5c24) — Emeryville, CA
- [Research Scientist, Multiregional Electrophysiology of Rodent Cognition](https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-multiregional-electrophysiology-of-rodent-cognition-astera-cqc9p1d3hhvq) — Alameda, CA
- [Research Scientist/Engineer, Deep Brain Two Photon Imaging and Optogenetics](https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-engineer-deep-brain-two-photon-imaging-and-optogenetics-67dzysn3hyam) — Alameda, CA
- [Research Scientist, All-Optical Investigation of Rodent Cognition](https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-all-optical-investigation-of-rodent-cognition-astera-6mt4g8pwc4hn) — Alameda, CA
- [Optical Engineer, Precision Instrumentation](https://feeny.ai/job/optical-engineer-precision-instrumentation-astera-institute-alameda-t3gpdst5ecvz) — Alameda, CA