Veterinary Pathologist

We are creating devices that enable a bi-directional interface with the brain. These devices allow us to restore movement to the paralyzed, restore sight to the blind, and revolutionize how humans interact with their digital world.

Join the Preclinical team at Neuralink, where our mission is to generate high-quality safety, biocompatibility, and performance data for cutting-edge brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies through rigorous, ethical, and GLP-compliant research studies. The Veterinary Pathologist plays a critical role in this mission by delivering expert histopathologic analysis, diagnostic pathology services, and pathology expertise to evaluate device-tissue interactions, tissue responses to implanted BCI components (such as microelectrode arrays and threads), and overall device safety. This role works closely with Veterinary Medicine, Animal Care, Engineering, Translational Research, and Regulatory teams to support study design, data interpretation, regulatory submissions, and continuous device refinement.

The Veterinary Pathologist will provide critical diagnostic, analytical, and regulatory pathology support for Neuralink’s preclinical programs. This role ensures high-quality histopathologic data generation and compliance for all research activities supporting the development of Neuralink medical devices. Responsibilities include:

• Perform necropsies, tissue collection, and tissue examinations for preclinical studies; ensure high-quality samples for histopathologic evaluation of device implantation sites and other non-target tissues.

• Conduct thorough gross and microscopic (histopathologic) examination of tissues with emphasis on device-tissue interfaces, foreign body responses, inflammation, gliosis, neuronal viability, other changes in the central nervous system and surrounding structures relevant to implanted brain-computer interfaces.

• Interpret pathological findings, establish diagnoses, and prepare comprehensive, regulatory-quality pathology reports documenting methods, observations, interpretations, diagnoses, and recommendations suitable for internal leadership review, external peer review, and inclusion in GLP study reports for FDA premarket submissions (IDE, PMA, etc.)

• Collaborate with Preclinical study directors, veterinarians, and researchers on the design and execution of safety studies in accordance with FDA guidance and relevant standards; contribute pathology expertise to protocol development, endpoint selection, and study governance.

• Ensure all pathology activities comply with GLP regulations (21 CFR Part 58), including accurate specimen tracking, chain of custody, documentation, SOP adherence, equipment calibration/maintenance, and quality control; support QA audits and potential inspections of pathology data and processes.

• Lead or actively participate in investigations of unexpected tissue findings, adverse events, and device-related abnormalities; perform root cause analysis and contribute pathology data for device design refinements.

• Provide pathology consultation and subject matter expertise to cross-functional teams (Engineering, Clinical, Regulatory, Animal Care) regarding tissue collection best practices, fixation methods, handling of implanted devices, and interpretation of challenging histopathology findings.

• Maintain laboratory equipment, develop and update pathology SOPs and protocols, perform routine quality control, and ensure a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment (including BSL-2 practices for handling animal tissues and potentially hazardous materials).

• Stay current with advancements in veterinary pathology, digital pathology, medical device regulatory science,