NEXI Biotech
Head of In Vitro Neurophysiology (Founding Leadership)
NEXI Biotech, Tampa, Florida, us, 33646
Head of In Vitro Neurophysiology (Founding Leadership)
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NEXI Biotech is an inception-stage neurotechnology startup pioneering next-generation human neural models for translational drug discovery. Our mission is to transform how neurological therapies are developed by replacing animal models with predictive, high-resolution human cell platforms. We operate at the intersection of neuroscience, stem cell biology, bioengineering, and data science—where frontier technologies meet clinical translation.
Our vision is to build the leading platform for functional human neurophysiology, enabling precision neurology, safer medicines, and faster clinical development.
Please do not apply directly.
Send a personalized LinkedIn message introducing yourself and why this mission resonates with you.
We also welcome interest from motivated scientific interns looking to gain hands-on experience at the frontier of neurotechnology.
At this time, we are not engaging staffing agencies or external recruiters for this role.
Role Description
This is a fractional leadership role based in the Greater Tampa Bay / Gainesville region, with the potential to evolve into a full-time, founding Director/VP of Research or CSO-track position as the company scales and secures funding.
Compensation is equity-based during the seed stage, with future salary structures tied to milestones and fundraising progress. We are assembling the founding scientific leadership team, and early contributors will have an opportunity to earn a significant vested equity position.
We operate with the belief that the future belongs to founders, not employees. We’re building a team that embraces autonomy, ownership, and the desire to leave an enduring legacy on the future of neurological drug discovery.
Role Overview:
The Head of Research will serve as the scientific architect of NEXI’s platform, shaping our experimental strategy, setting quality standards, and guiding the development of human-relevant neural models that will become the new foundation for preclinical neuroscience.
This role is equal parts visionary and hands-on. You’ll design the scientific roadmap, write and oversee experimental protocols, guide regulatory-aligned assay development, and help translate complex functional data into meaningful biological and clinical insights. You’ll work closely with leadership and engineering partners to build a platform that stands up to regulatory scrutiny and serves as a new gold standard for IND-supporting data.
The ideal candidate has deep experience with drug discovery, iPSC-derived neural systems, organoid/assembloid generation, advanced cell culture, or functional neurophysiology, and thrives in an environment where scientific creativity meets disciplined execution.
Key Responsibilities:
Architect the scientific strategy for NEXI’s neural circuit platforms, including assay design, biomarker selection, and model validation
Lead development of advanced iPSC-derived models, organoids, and assembloids across key brain regions and cell types
Establish reproducible workflows for neural differentiation, co-culture systems, microfluidics, and MEA-based functional assays
Generate and review scientific writing, including grant submissions, publications, IND-supportive documents, and regulatory frameworks
Partner with engineering to define experimental requirements for usability, scalability, and regulatory alignment
Translate complex datasets (e.g., electrophysiology, network dynamics) into mechanistic insights and clinically relevant narratives
Support customer-facing scientific discussions with pharma partners, translational centers, and strategic collaborators
Build the early research organization—hiring, mentoring, and setting the scientific culture for excellence and innovation
Oversee scientific rigor, documentation, and reproducibility standards
Contribute to IP strategy, experimental validation plans, and long-term scientific differentiation
Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated expertise in iPSC-derived neural systems, organoids/assembloids, advanced CNS cell culture, or functional electrophysiology
Strong background in drug discovery, neurobiology, or preclinical assay development
Experience designing or executing studies aligned with regulatory expectations (FDA, IND-enabling workflows, translational biomarkers)
Exceptional scientific writing skills, capable of producing grant applications, manuscripts, protocols, and technical documents with clarity and precision
Ability to translate fundamental biology into actionable experimental plans and high-impact deliverables
Ownership mindset, high accountability, and comfort navigating ambiguity in an early-stage environment
Strong communication skills, able to articulate complex science to internal teams, partners, and investors
Proven ability to lead cross-functional scientific programs
Preferred/Advantageous Qualifications:
PhD in Neuroscience, Stem Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, or related field
5–15+ years of experience in preclinical neuroscience, translational research, or biotech R&D
Experience working with HD-MEAs, microfluidics, organ-on-chip platforms, or electrophysiology tools
Prior involvement in IND submissions, regulatory interactions, or qualification of novel models
Experience in startups, innovation teams, or environments where building from first principles is the norm
Prior management or team-building experience
Familiarity with computational methods, biomarker development, or AI-assisted analytics is a plus
Compensation:
Equity-based during the pre-seed and seed phases, with strong potential for a paid full-time leadership role as the company advances.
Flexible hours and fractional arrangements are welcome during the early stage.
This is a rare opportunity to join a frontier biotech company before launch and help define the scientific foundation of a platform aimed at reshaping neurological medicine.
Summary:
We welcome accomplished scientists seeking a full-time or fractional leadership role with accelerated upward trajectory—and we also welcome rising scientific leaders eager to step into a founding role with real ownership.
If you’re driven by solving hard problems, advancing human-relevant neuroscience, and building something transformative from the ground up, we’d love to connect.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
NEXI Biotech is an inception-stage neurotechnology startup pioneering next-generation human neural models for translational drug discovery. Our mission is to transform how neurological therapies are developed by replacing animal models with predictive, high-resolution human cell platforms. We operate at the intersection of neuroscience, stem cell biology, bioengineering, and data science—where frontier technologies meet clinical translation.
Our vision is to build the leading platform for functional human neurophysiology, enabling precision neurology, safer medicines, and faster clinical development.
Please do not apply directly.
Send a personalized LinkedIn message introducing yourself and why this mission resonates with you.
We also welcome interest from motivated scientific interns looking to gain hands-on experience at the frontier of neurotechnology.
At this time, we are not engaging staffing agencies or external recruiters for this role.
Role Description
This is a fractional leadership role based in the Greater Tampa Bay / Gainesville region, with the potential to evolve into a full-time, founding Director/VP of Research or CSO-track position as the company scales and secures funding.
Compensation is equity-based during the seed stage, with future salary structures tied to milestones and fundraising progress. We are assembling the founding scientific leadership team, and early contributors will have an opportunity to earn a significant vested equity position.
We operate with the belief that the future belongs to founders, not employees. We’re building a team that embraces autonomy, ownership, and the desire to leave an enduring legacy on the future of neurological drug discovery.
Role Overview:
The Head of Research will serve as the scientific architect of NEXI’s platform, shaping our experimental strategy, setting quality standards, and guiding the development of human-relevant neural models that will become the new foundation for preclinical neuroscience.
This role is equal parts visionary and hands-on. You’ll design the scientific roadmap, write and oversee experimental protocols, guide regulatory-aligned assay development, and help translate complex functional data into meaningful biological and clinical insights. You’ll work closely with leadership and engineering partners to build a platform that stands up to regulatory scrutiny and serves as a new gold standard for IND-supporting data.
The ideal candidate has deep experience with drug discovery, iPSC-derived neural systems, organoid/assembloid generation, advanced cell culture, or functional neurophysiology, and thrives in an environment where scientific creativity meets disciplined execution.
Key Responsibilities:
Architect the scientific strategy for NEXI’s neural circuit platforms, including assay design, biomarker selection, and model validation
Lead development of advanced iPSC-derived models, organoids, and assembloids across key brain regions and cell types
Establish reproducible workflows for neural differentiation, co-culture systems, microfluidics, and MEA-based functional assays
Generate and review scientific writing, including grant submissions, publications, IND-supportive documents, and regulatory frameworks
Partner with engineering to define experimental requirements for usability, scalability, and regulatory alignment
Translate complex datasets (e.g., electrophysiology, network dynamics) into mechanistic insights and clinically relevant narratives
Support customer-facing scientific discussions with pharma partners, translational centers, and strategic collaborators
Build the early research organization—hiring, mentoring, and setting the scientific culture for excellence and innovation
Oversee scientific rigor, documentation, and reproducibility standards
Contribute to IP strategy, experimental validation plans, and long-term scientific differentiation
Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated expertise in iPSC-derived neural systems, organoids/assembloids, advanced CNS cell culture, or functional electrophysiology
Strong background in drug discovery, neurobiology, or preclinical assay development
Experience designing or executing studies aligned with regulatory expectations (FDA, IND-enabling workflows, translational biomarkers)
Exceptional scientific writing skills, capable of producing grant applications, manuscripts, protocols, and technical documents with clarity and precision
Ability to translate fundamental biology into actionable experimental plans and high-impact deliverables
Ownership mindset, high accountability, and comfort navigating ambiguity in an early-stage environment
Strong communication skills, able to articulate complex science to internal teams, partners, and investors
Proven ability to lead cross-functional scientific programs
Preferred/Advantageous Qualifications:
PhD in Neuroscience, Stem Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, or related field
5–15+ years of experience in preclinical neuroscience, translational research, or biotech R&D
Experience working with HD-MEAs, microfluidics, organ-on-chip platforms, or electrophysiology tools
Prior involvement in IND submissions, regulatory interactions, or qualification of novel models
Experience in startups, innovation teams, or environments where building from first principles is the norm
Prior management or team-building experience
Familiarity with computational methods, biomarker development, or AI-assisted analytics is a plus
Compensation:
Equity-based during the pre-seed and seed phases, with strong potential for a paid full-time leadership role as the company advances.
Flexible hours and fractional arrangements are welcome during the early stage.
This is a rare opportunity to join a frontier biotech company before launch and help define the scientific foundation of a platform aimed at reshaping neurological medicine.
Summary:
We welcome accomplished scientists seeking a full-time or fractional leadership role with accelerated upward trajectory—and we also welcome rising scientific leaders eager to step into a founding role with real ownership.
If you’re driven by solving hard problems, advancing human-relevant neuroscience, and building something transformative from the ground up, we’d love to connect.
#J-18808-Ljbffr