Sr./Staff Scientist – Surface Chemistry

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. Our scientists and engineers work across disciplines to solve complex technical challenges and translate innovation into scalable, real-world applications. At Sarmal, we value scientific rigor, curiosity, and a builder mindset.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Scientist to Staff Scientist Surface Chemist to drive the design, development, and optimization of functionalized surfaces for next-generation sequencing (NGS) and molecular diagnostic (IVD) platforms. This role sits at the interface of chemistry, materials science, and device engineering, and is responsible for developing robust, manufacturable surface chemistries (including hydrogel, silane, self-assembled monolayers, brush polymer surfaces) for ultra-low fouling, oligonucleotide/probe immobilization, hybridization, and various molecular processes.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and optimize surface chemistries (hydrogel, silane, self-assembled monolayers, brush polymer surfaces) for oligonucleotide/probe immobilization, amplification, and hybridization chemistries on next-generation sequencing (NGS) and molecular diagnostic (IVD) platforms.
• Develop and optimize surface functionalization processes on diverse substrate materials — glass, silicon, silicon nitride, metals/metal oxides, noble-metal electrodes, polymers, and patterned/micro-structured surfaces.
• Lead development and scale-up of surface deposition and patterning processes, including PE-CVD, CVD, spin-coating, dip-coating, spray-coating, vapor-phase deposition, plasma treatment/activation, and photolithographic/printed patterning methods.
• Characterize surface chemistry performance and quality using a broad suite of analytical techniques, correlating physicochemical properties to assay performance (signal, specificity, uniformity, density, non-specific binding).
• Work closely with electrode-based platform on surface modification of working/reference/counter electrodes and evaluation of electrochemical performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Assay Development, Reagent Chemistry, Device/Instrument Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality/Regulatory teams to transition surface chemistry processes from R&D through pilot scale-up and into IVD manufacturing under design control.
• Design and execute DOEs to optimize coating uniformity, reproducibility, shelf-life/stability, and lot-to-lot consistency; support root cause investigations and CAPAs related to surface chemistry performance.
• Author and maintain technical reports, protocols, batch records, DHF/design control documentation, and contribute to regulatory submissions (e.g., FDA 510(k)/PMA, CE-IVDR) as needed.
• Maintain awareness of literature and emerging technologies in surface chemistry, biofunctionalization, and diagnostic surface engineering; evaluate new materials/methods for potential adoption.
• Mentor junior scientists and associates; may manage or direct the work of research associates.
• Support IP strategy, including invention disclosures and patent support.
• Contribute to troubleshooting surface performance issues and root-cause analysis.

Requirements

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree in Materials Science, Surface Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum experience of 7 years with B.S., 5 years with M.S., or 3 years with Ph.D.
• Experience in developing functional surfaces for biomolecular applications, ultra-low fouling surfaces, polymer thin-films, hydrogel networks.
• Working knowledge of nucleic acid chemistry and how surface properties affect hybridization thermodynamics, kinetics, etc.
• Surface deposition/patterning methods (PE-CVD, CVD, spin/dip/spray coating, plasma activation/etching, and photolithographic or inkjet-based patterning).
• Experience working with electrode surfaces and materials (e.g., gold, platinum, carbon, ITO) and/or electrochemical platforms.
• Experience with a wide range of substrate materials, including glass, silicon/silicon-based substrates, metal/metal-oxide, polymers/plastics, and patterned/micro-structured or micro-fabricated surfaces.
• Strong DOE, statistical analysis, and data interpretation skills.
• Solid empirical knowledge of bioconjugations in the context of microarrays and biointerfaces.
• Hands-on experience with analytical surface characterization methods:
  • Contact angle goniometry / surface energy analysis
  • X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
  • Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) / SEM-EDS
  • Ellipsometry (film thickness/uniformity)
  • Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR, incl. ATR-FTIR)
  • Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D)
  • Profilometry (surface roughness/topography)
  • Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) / cyclic voltammetry (CV)
  • Fluorescence-based surface density/uniformity assays
  • Zeta potential & surface charge characterization
  • Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present technical results to cross-functional and leadership audiences.
• Familiarity with QC method development for surface characterization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience developing surface chemistry for NGS flow cells, IVD consumables, or microarray substrates in a regulated IVD or medical device environment.
• Experience with design controls (21 CFR 820.30 / ISO 13485) and transfer of chemistry/processes to manufacturing.
• Experience with cleanroom processes and semiconductor-adjacent fabrication techniques.
• Familiarity with biosensor or point-of-care diagnostic platform development.

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

The anticipated salary range for this position is $105,000 – $145,000, 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