Principal Scientist, Biosensor Assay Development

About the role

The Principal Assay Scientist will lead the biochemical development and application of Allegro MicroSystems' Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) biosensor platform. This foundational role involves establishing a Manchester-based biochemistry lab, overseeing the development of diverse assay formats, and working directly with global customers to transition their biological and diagnostic applications onto the sensing platform.

Responsibilities

• Foundational Lab Leadership: Establish and oversee a new biochemistry R&D laboratory in Manchester. Define SOPs, manage safety protocols, and lead a small, agile team (initially 1-2 members) to support rapid prototyping and validation.
• Multi-Modal Assay Development: Lead the design and optimization of various assay formats, including sandwich and competitive architectures. Work across a wide range of targets (Proteins, DNA, RNA) and sample matrices (e.g., whole blood, serum, saliva) to prove platform versatility.
• Surface Chemistry & Interface Engineering: Optimize the functionalization of sensor surfaces. Develop robust protocols for tethering capture molecules to semiconductor-based sensor stacks while minimizing non-specific binding and ensuring long-term reagent stability.
• Field Applications & Customer Success: Serve as the Lead Field Applications Scientist (FAS). Support early-adopter customers by creating proof-of-concept samples, validating their specific use cases, and traveling to customer sites to assist with technical bring-up and method transfer.
• Production & Method Transfer: Collaborate with microfluidic, packaging, and manufacturing engineers to ensure biochemical methods are compatible with high-volume production and cartridge assembly processes.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific field.
• 8-12 years of experience in Assay Development within the diagnostics or life sciences industry.
• Proven success in taking an assay from early-stage concept through to a validated method.
• Deep expertise in immunoassays and/or molecular diagnostic techniques.
• Strong understanding of surface functionalization (e.g., silanes, PEGylation, or related chemistry).
• Experience working with microfluidic systems or "Lab-on-a-Chip" platforms.
• A "hands-on" entrepreneurial approach.
• Ability to bridge the gap between biochemistry and electronic engineering.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to support global customer integration and production bring-up.

Qualifications

• Must be comfortable wearing many hats—from bench work and lab management to technical sales support and high-level strategy.

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off.

Pay

• $100,000 - $150,000 annually.

Schedule

• Full-time position.