Associate Scientist, Sensory Neurophysiology

About Our Work

We are neuroscientists who build ground-breaking human interfacing technology for the spatial computing era and next generation of human interaction. We stimulate nerves to create artificial tactile sensations, which provides novel communication options, seamless integration between humans and technology, improves interaction of 3D digital content. Our first products will be mobile, wearable devices that directly provide information to human nervous system ranging from simple alerts to streaming complex data from media and XR content to create the sensation of touch.

What You'll Be Doing

The Sensory Neurophysiology Associate Scientist will contribute to the advancement of the company’s research and development efforts by working with a growing research team to design and conduct experiments that enhance the understanding of sensory perception. This individual will focus on stimulation paradigms to improved perceptual quality, advance interface design, advance user experience, understand user’s phenomenological experience, and other key aspects of connecting to the human nervous system. The Associate Scientist will work closely with interdisciplinary teams to translate neurophysiological insights into innovative consumer technology solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, and optimize perceptual experiments focused on sensory processing and perception.

• Independently execute well-defined experiments and contribute to the development and optimization of experimental paradigms, with guidance from senior scientists as appropriate.

• Perform interface experimentation to characterize, understand, and improve sensory experiences.

• Collect, curate, and analyze neurophysiological and behavioral data with statistical rigor.

• Develop, maintain, and improve software tools and scripts to automate data collection and analysis pipelines.

• Work closely with biomedical scientists in developing experiments, systems, and stimulation paradigms.

• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams including engineers, data scientists, and product developers.

• Document experimental protocols, results, and insights to support product development and scientific dissemination.

• Stay current with advances in sensory neuroscience and neurophysiology relevant to consumer technology applications.

• Other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need for This Position

Education

A degree in Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, or a closely related field.

Must-Have Skills & Experience

• Hands-on experience with neurophysiological experimental design and execution, preferably involving sensory systems.

• Experience with neural interfaces, wearable technologies, or related sensory stimulation and measurement techniques, preferably in a sensory research application.

• Experience in non-human biological experimental model research is a plus.

• Proficiency in data collection, statistical analysis, and visualization using tools such as MATLAB, Python, R, or similar.

• Experience with minor software development or scripting to support experimental workflows (e.g., Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW).

• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and accuracy in experimental and data analysis tasks.

• Effective communication skills for collaborative and cross-disciplinary teamwork and human subject experimentation.

• Self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable working in a dynamic, small-team environment.

What's in It for You

Work closely with cutting-edge technology. You'll be hands-on with novel neural haptic technology that's defining the future of human-tech interaction, spatial computing, and immersive experiences.

Work in a close-knit, startup environment. We strive to create an intellectually stimulating and collegial working environment. Our energy for inventing, creating, and learning spans work and play: we have regular happy hours, plan field trips, plan ski trips, play games, play music, and generally have a good time.

An early employee experience. We are an early-stage deep tech startup company that requires all members to contribute across the entire business. On any given day, there will be new challenges and new demands to propel the business forward. We expect all employees to be able to dive into any new challenges that present themselves, even if they are beyond the job description above.

Compensation & Benefits

Afference is committed to providing the sense of touch for future interactive, embodied digital age. We are leading this effort through deep science and technology, which provides unique experiences compared to classical haptic technologies. Our lean team of experts demands a high level of excellence but can compensate with the commensurate upside potential of an early-growth startup in a high-growth sector of extended reality.

Compensation offers depend on skills, qualifications, and experience, and range between:

$80,000 to $90,000 per year at 100% FTE

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental vision, life, STD, FSA, additional company perks

• Self-managed PTO

Location: On-site; Cleveland, OH office