Operations Lead

Forest Neurotech is seeking an Operations Lead with at least 5 years in operations or leadership roles. You’ll design, manage, and optimize our systems to keep Forest running smoothly and effectively. Flexibility and adaptability are key — deep-tech startups are dynamic so you’ll need to anticipate and meet the demands of a fast-moving R&D environment. You’ll be central to organizing a multidisciplinary team of world-class scientists and engineers, driving groundbreaking neurotech research and advancing treatments for brain circuit disorders.

About Forest Neurotech

Forest Neurotech is developing an ultrasound based BCI and software platform to catalyze breakthroughs in the understanding and personalized treatment of the human brain. Ultrasound is capable of measuring and stimulating brain-wide activity in a minimally invasive manner. This opens new avenues for research into personalized therapies across a range of psychiatric and cognitive disorders. To accelerate these efforts, Forest has secured a partnership with Butterfly Network with exclusive access to the only FDA approved and mass produced Ultrasound-on-Chip. As a non-profit  Focused Research Organization (FRO), Forest Neurotech has the freedom to focus solely on advancing science and engineering for the public good. Pioneered by Convergent Research, a member of the Schmidt Futures Network, FROs are designed to overcome key technological bottlenecks for the advancement of science and medicine. Forest was recently featured in Wired and IEEE. Visit www.forestneurotech.org to learn more. 

Forest is structured as a Focused Research Organization (FRO). FROs are a new type of startup-nonprofit hybrid organization for pursuing advanced scientific projects not achievable in academia or a VC-backed startup. As an FRO, Forest can execute with the intensity and focus of a founder-led startup, but with the mission and operational flexibility to maximally advance neurotechnology and benefit society rather than focusing on near-term company value.

What you’ll do

Design and implement operations: Build and optimize processes across workflows, vendor management, logistics, and internal systems to keep everything running smoothly.

Own people operations: From recruiting to onboarding and offboarding.

Oversee organizational functions: Operate mission-critical functions, including: (1) Private and government grant application and compliance (2) Financial operations (process and track purchase orders, invoices, etc.) (3) Org-wide milestone and objective tracking (4) Public relations and media communications (copy, materials, and content creation)

Plan and execute on small to medium size events: Coordinate team offsites, funder meetings, and workshops, ensuring they’re well-organized and aligned with Forest’s goals.

Work closely with others: Work with key team members like the clinical program manager, executive assistant, and leadership to keep operations aligned with research objectives.

“Own” the LA office: Maintain an organized, productive workspace by managing facilities, supplies, and lab infrastructure.

Your toolbox

Fast-paced environments only: You’ve thrived in startups or unconventional teams where adaptability and speed are essential. 

100% reliable: Nothing slips through the cracks. When you take something on, everyone knows it will get done. 

The trains are always on time: You keep projects on track, anticipate issues, and handle delays before they happen. 

Digital tools are second nature: You’re a pro in Notion and Google Workspace, and at least a handful of other digital suites. 

Physical infrastructure savvy: Whether it’s managing a server, coordinating with the building, or handling lab logistics, you’re hands-on and proactive. 

Quick learner: You love tackling new topics and can rapidly get up to speed on multidisciplinary challenges. 

High IQ, low ego: You bring smart solutions, stay humble, and thrive on collaboration 

Genuine interest in frontier tech: You’re excited by cutting-edge science and tech and want to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Qualifications

Experience: 5+ years in an operations or leadership role, ideally in scientific organizations, startups, or both. 

Education: No explicit requirements — your track record and skills matter most. 

An amazing human: You care deeply about your team’s success and making a real impact on the human condition.