Senior Scientist, Biochemistry & Assay Development

Sarmal, Inc. is a San Diego–based biotechnology company developing next-generation genomics and molecular detection platforms. Our work integrates molecular biology, chemistry, and advanced systems engineering to enable faster, more precise, and more accessible genomic insights. We are a highly collaborative, R&D-driven team operating in a fast-paced, early-stage environment.

About the role

We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Senior Scientist with expertise in biochemistry, protein science, and quantitative assay development to drive the biological and biochemical aspects of our EPCC platform. This role focuses on developing and optimizing plate-based biochemical assays, preparing and characterizing DNA-barcoded affinity reagents (antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates), and establishing quantitative methods for protein detection using ddPCR and NGS readouts. You will work closely with our surface chemistry team to integrate biochemical assays with functionalized electrode surfaces, translating proof-of-concept experiments into robust, reproducible diagnostic workflows. This role is ideal for a biochemist with strong experience in recombinant protein expression and purification, bioconjugation chemistry, and microplate-based assay development who thrives on optimizing complex multi-step workflows and enjoys bridging chemistry with biology.

Responsibilities

• Assay Development & Optimization
  • Design, develop, and optimize quantitative biochemical and molecular assays for protein detection and characterization
  • Establish and validate assay performance, including sensitivity, specificity, dynamic range, precision, and reproducibility
  • Optimize assay conditions, sample preparation methods, and workflow parameters to improve performance and robustness
  • Develop orthogonal methods to confirm experimental findings and support data integrity
  • Analyze and interpret complex experimental results and communicate findings to cross-functional teams
• Protein Science & Reagent Development
  • Express, purify, and characterize recombinant proteins and affinity reagents
  • Support development and optimization of antibody-based and nucleic acid-enabled detection strategies
  • Perform protein characterization using standard biochemical and analytical techniques
  • Establish quality control methods and acceptance criteria for critical reagents
  • Maintain traceability, documentation, and inventory of key biological materials
• Platform Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with chemistry, engineering, and platform development teams to integrate biochemical workflows into broader system architectures
  • Support development of workflows for complex biological samples and clinically relevant matrices
  • Troubleshoot technical challenges through systematic experimentation and root-cause analysis
  • Contribute to experimental planning, technical reviews, and strategic discussions regarding platform development
• Scientific Leadership
  • Present results and recommendations to project teams and leadership
  • Author technical reports, SOPs, protocols, and supporting documentation
  • Contribute to patent applications, publications, and scientific presentations as appropriate
  • Mentor junior scientists and foster scientific excellence within the organization
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, scientific literature, and external partners to support innovation initiatives

Requirements

• Required Experience
  • 2+ years of relevant industry experience following completion of a Ph.D., or equivalent industry experience with an M.S.
  • Strong hands-on experience in biochemical assay development and optimization
  • Experience with recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization
  • Demonstrated success designing, executing, and troubleshooting complex experiments
  • Experience working in multidisciplinary research and development environments
  • Strong scientific communication and data presentation skills
• Technical Expertise

  Experience in several of the following areas:

  • Protein expression and purification using bacterial or other recombinant systems
  • Chromatography techniques including affinity, ion exchange, and size exclusion methods
  • Protein characterization methods such as SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, UV-Vis, and analytical chromatography
  • ELISA and other plate-based quantitative assays
  • Assay validation and performance characterization
  • Molecular biology techniques including PCR and cloning methodologies
  • Statistical analysis and scientific data interpretation
  • Scientific software tools such as GraphPad Prism, Excel, and related data visualization platforms
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with antibody-based detection technologies or affinity reagent development
  • Experience with bioconjugation chemistry or biomolecule labeling approaches
  • Familiarity with qPCR, ddPCR, NGS workflows, or genomic detection technologies
  • Experience developing assays for clinical, diagnostic, or regulated environments
  • Knowledge of FDA Design Controls, quality systems, or ISO 13485 environments
  • Experience supporting intellectual property generation, publications, or grant applications
  • Previous mentoring or project leadership experience

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline; OR M.S. in a relevant field with 5+ years of industry experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-paid life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off
• Access to additional voluntary benefits, employee perks, and discount programs

Pay

$140,000 - $180,000 a year. The anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000 – $180,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, location, relevant experience, skill set, and internal equity considerations.

Why Join Sarmal

• Work on cutting-edge genomics and molecular detection technologies
• Collaborate with a deeply technical, cross-functional team
• Contribute to foundational platform development at an early stage
• Have visibility into and impact on core technical and strategic decisions
• Help shape the infrastructure, culture, and future direction of the company