IACUC Coordinator

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab with the mission of bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability, agency and experience. We’re pursuing this goal by developing fundamentally new approaches to brain-computer interfaces that interact with the brain at high bandwidth, integrate with advanced AI, and are ultimately safe and accessible for anyone to use.

About the Role

We are seeking a contract IACUC Coordinator to support the development and day-to-day operations of Merge Labs’ animal research compliance program. This individual will play a central role in coordinating Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) activities, maintaining high standards for animal welfare and regulatory compliance, and helping build scalable processes as our in vivo research operations grow.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working closely with scientists, veterinary staff, and operations teams in a highly collaborative startup environment. The position will support protocol administration, committee coordination, inspections, training, and ongoing compliance activities while helping establish efficient and reproducible systems across the organization.

Why Join Merge Labs

You’ll have the opportunity to help build the operational and compliance foundation for a growing in vivo research organization working on ambitious neuroscience technologies. This role offers meaningful ownership, close collaboration with scientific leadership, and the ability to shape systems and processes from the ground up in a highly mission-driven environment.

What You'll Do

IACUC Operations & Compliance

• Coordinate submission, review, modification, and renewal of animal use protocols, amendments, and related documentation.

• Track protocol approval timelines, expiration dates, investigator communications, and required follow-up actions.

• Organize IACUC meetings, prepare agendas and meeting materials, document minutes, and maintain audit-ready records.

• Support semiannual program reviews and facility inspections, including tracking observations and corrective actions.

• Partner with the Attending Veterinarian, IACUC Chair, and research teams to support animal welfare oversight and protocol compliance.

• Help maintain alignment with applicable regulatory standards and guidance, including PHS Policy and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

• Support post-approval monitoring activities and ensure accurate documentation of findings and resolutions.

Researcher Support & Training

• Serve as a resource for scientists and staff regarding protocol preparation, submission requirements, and compliance processes.

• Develop and maintain SOPs, templates, checklists, and internal guidance documents to improve consistency and efficiency.

• Coordinate onboarding and refresher training related to IACUC procedures, documentation expectations, and compliance workflows.

• Partner with veterinary and research staff to ensure personnel training requirements are appropriately documented and tracked.

• Support internal communications related to animal research operations, policy updates, and program improvements.

Electronic Systems & Process Development

• Support implementation and day-to-day management of the electronic IACUC/protocol management system.

• Help configure workflows, templates, reviewer tools, and approval routing processes.

• Maintain accurate protocol and training records within electronic systems.

• Provide troubleshooting and user support for researchers and committee members.

• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, documentation quality, and process scalability as the program expands.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline.

• Experience supporting animal research compliance, laboratory animal programs, research operations, or related functions in biotech, pharma, academia, or research environments.

• Familiarity with animal research regulations and guidance, including PHS Policy and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with scientists, veterinarians, and operational teams.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment while maintaining high quality standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience directly supporting an IACUC or animal research oversight program.

• Familiarity with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and PHS Policy; willingness to deepen expertise as needed.

• Experience working in startup, early-stage biotech, or rapidly scaling research environments.

• Familiarity with AAALAC-accredited or AAALAC-aligned programs.

If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification, please apply. As we build, we're hiring for complementary strengths to form a high-impact team.
For more information about hiring at Merge, please visit our Hiring FAQ

Merge Labs does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, family status, ancestry, citizenship, U.S. military (state and federal) and veteran status, or any other legally protected status. It is our intention that all applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job related factors. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made by emailing [email protected].