Senior Research Engineer

About Synchron 

Synchron is a clinical-stage endovascular brain computer interface (BCI) company. Since 2012, the company has been developing a BCI platform that avoids the need for open brain surgery by using a minimally-invasive procedure. The Synchron Switch™ BCI received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2020, and is currently in human clinical trials in the US and Australia.

The company recently announced an oversubscribed $75 million Series C financing round led by ARCH Venture Partners, with participation from Gates Frontier, Bezos Expeditions and other top-tier investors. The funds will accelerate product development, facilitate commencement of a pivotal clinical trial, and advance Synchron towards a first-in-class BCI market approval for the treatment of paralysis.

The Synchron Switch™ brain computer interface is implanted in the blood vessel on the surface of the motor cortex of the brain via the jugular vein, through a minimally-invasive endovascular procedure. Once implanted, it is designed to detect and wirelessly transmit motor intent out of the brain, restoring a capability for severely paralyzed patients to control personal devices with hands-free point-and-click. Synchron is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary and rapidly growing team.

Join our mission of developing a first-in-class commercial BCI for more than 100 million people worldwide with upper limb impairment. Help people with previously untreatable conditions regain connection to the world.

Synchron (www.synchron.com) is a clinical-stage endovascular brain computer interface (BCI) company. Since 2012, the company has been developing a BCI platform that avoids the need for open brain surgery by using a minimally-invasive procedure. The Synchron Switch™ BCI received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2020 and is currently in human clinical trials in the US and Australia.

The company recently announced an oversubscribed $75 million Series C financing round led by ARCH Venture Partners, with participation from Gates Frontier, Bezos Expeditions and other top-tier investors. The funds will accelerate product development, facilitate commencement of a pivotal clinical trial, and advance Synchron towards a first-in-class BCI market approval for the treatment of paralysis.

The Synchron Switch™ brain computer interface is implanted in the blood vessel on the surface of the motor cortex of the brain via the jugular vein, through a minimally-invasive endovascular procedure. Once implanted, it is designed to detect and wirelessly transmit motor intent out of the brain, restoring a capability for severely paralyzed patients to control personal devices with hands-free point-and-click. Synchron is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary and rapidly growing team.

Join our mission of developing a first-in-class commercial BCI for more than 100 million people worldwide with upper limb impairment. Help people with previously untreatable conditions regain connection to the world.

We are expanding our engineering team and currently seeking to appoint a Senior Research Engineer for the Advanced Technologies division in our Melbourne, Australia facility.

Role: Senior Research Engineer, Advanced Technology Team

Our Advanced Technology team is exploring the fundamentals of implantable neurotechnology. Applications of our technology are boundless, and we are currently investigating a foundational set of treatments for a variety of neurological conditions.

As a Senior Research Engineer, you will be experienced in neural engineering practices, contributing to the design and interpretation of experiments and testing used to develop novel, ground up technologies. You will work with scientists, engineers, clinicians, and researchers to determine critical unknowns to be explored in a scientific and systematic process.

We are a lean, fast-paced, passionate team pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the neurotech space to dramatically improve the quality of life of millions of people globally, and we want you to join us. 

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental design for assessment of both safety and functionality of developing devices with due consideration to risk management processes and regulatory requirements.
• Generate technical protocols and reports for both benchtop and animal models and coordinate/lead execution of the experimental trials
• Assist in the coordination and execution of low-risk clinical trials
• Contribute to data collection and analysis of preclinical and clinical data
• Contribute to design and development of new active implantable medical devices
• Participate in the risk management process to reduce or mitigate the chances of failure in the assembly or overall quality system process.
• Prepare written communications to convey information effectively through formal and informal documents with team members, designers, technicians, and other technical personnel, both internal and external to Synchron, using appropriate communications protocols.
• On occasion, prepare or contribute to patents, scientific papers or conference presentations.
• Perform literature reviews and distill the required information needed to inform critical strategic or design decisions

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Biophysics, Biomedical­, Electronics, Mechanical or Materials Engineering or related field.
• Experience working with large animal models for medical research
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working as an engineer or research scientist in a highly regulated environment
• Experience working in electrophysiology and/or neurophysiology
• Must be highly organized with the ability to manage numerous projects/tasks simultaneously and effectively prioritize projects and tasks.
• Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams, i.e. Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Physicians, and Researchers.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication, documentation, and presentation skills
• Experience with ISO 13485 Design Control and Risk Management
• Problem solving mindset.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following experience:

• Masters or PhD in Neuroscience, Biophysics, Biomedical­, Electronics, Mechanical or Materials Engineering or related field.
• At least 7 years of experience as a research scientist in the medical device industry
• Experience in using electromechanical medical devices
• Experience working with neurological disorders such as motor neuron disease, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease
• Experience leading multidisciplinary projects through successful exection
• Experience in biological signal analysis and decoding
• Experience with neuromodulation, neuromonitoring, or neurointerventional technologies
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Calm under pressure, can excel and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

At Synchron we value our culture and the way we work together to achieve our goals. You will work in a flexible office arrangement amongst an expanding group of hard-working, fun, and caring people who support each other and are passionate about bringing life changing technologies to people with disabilities.

Synchron provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

Synchron operates in Australia and the USA.