Electrochemistry Specialist - Senior Scientist

PMA-Precision Metalforming Association; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) plan

Relocation assistance

Annual bonuses, equity

Job summary

Varro Life Sciences in St. Louis, MO, seeks a Senior Scientist - Electrochemistry Specialist to lead electrode functionalization, biosensor development, and cross-functional collaboration to meet R&D deliverables.

The role requires a strong chemistry background and hands-on electrochemistry experience. You will analyze data using Python/MATLAB/R, coordinate with manufacturing partners to scale from research to production, and communicate findings to leadership in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field with emphasis on electrochemistry or biosensors.
• 5+ years in electrochemistry, biosensor development, and diagnostic assay design.
• Hands-on electrode surface functionalization and bioconjugation chemistry.
• Experience with electrochemical characterization techniques (EIS, SWV, CV, DPV).

Responsibilities

• Lead electrode functionalization for covalent linkage of nanobodies, aptamers, and other affinity reagents.
• Collaborate with program management and electrical engineering to design and execute experiments.
• Apply chemistry foundation to guide experimental design and analysis across teams.
• Communicate experimental design, data, and conclusions to team and partners.
• Partner with R&D and manufacturing on design changes, scalability, and production transition.
• Advise management on risks, timelines, and costs.
• Maintain flexibility across multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Electrochemistry

Biosensor development

Data analysis

DoE validation

ISO 13485

Cross-functional

Education

PhD or MS in Chemistry/Biochem/Chemical Eng

Tools

Python

MATLAB

R

Job description

Varro Life Sciences

Senior Scientist - Electrochemistry Specialist

Who We Are

Join us on our mission to bring breakthrough Micro-Immunoelectrode (MIE) Technology to market for real-time detection of pathogens. At Varro, we're developing innovative, ultrafast, and cost-effective devices to detect pathogens from breath and indoor air. Designed for ease of use, portability, and seamless integration with other systems, our devices enable early and accessible pathogen detection. Working with Varro is an opportunity to reshape the future of life sciences through transformative technology. Driven by the potential to save lives and build a safer world, we are committed to solving real-world challenges and maximizing our global impact.

What We Live By

Data-Driven Decisions: We strive for the best solutions, informed by data and optimized for speed, simplicity, and scalability.

Support Each Other: We celebrate the ideas and contributions of our teammates, recognizing that success is achieved together when everyone feels heard and valued.

Simplify: We create intuitive solutions that lead to clear, meaningful outcomes, enhancing public health and improving patient care.

Key Responsibilities

The Electrochemistry Specialist: Senior Scientist will be a key member of the Varro Life Sciences development team. As a senior scientist on the electrochemistry team, you will be a subject matter expert, driving close alignment with cross-functional teams to meet R&D deliverables and timelines. This position will have multiple technical responsibilities supporting R&D, as well as with our contract engineering and manufacturing partners in the following areas of focus: electrode development and optimization, functionalization, verification and validation, signal analysis and interpretation, and other initiatives associated with the development and commercialization of our products.

As part of our team, your core responsibilities will be to:

• Lead electrode functionalization for covalent linkage of nanobodies, aptamers, and other affinity reagents, supporting biosensor performance and reproducibility.
• Collaborate closely with program management and the electrical engineering team to design and execute experiments that advance biosensor development and integration.
• Apply a strong chemistry foundation to guide experimental design, analytical methods, and best practices across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Clearly communicate experimental design, data, and conclusions to team members, leadership, and external partners, ensuring alignment on project objectives.
• Partner with R&D and manufacturing teams on design changes, scalability, and process optimization to support transition from research to production.
• Advise management on programmatic risks, timelines, and costs, ensuring deliverables align with corporate milestones.
• Maintain flexibility and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic, fast-paced development environment.

What We Are Looking For -Baseline Skills, Experiences, & Attributes:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. or M.S.) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with emphasis on electrochemistry or biosensors.
• 5+ years of experience in electrochemistry, biosensor development, and diagnostic assay design.
• Hands-on expertise in electrode surface functionalization and bioconjugation chemistry (e.g., thiol-Au, EDC/NHS, click chemistry).
• Demonstrated experience with electrochemical characterization techniques (EIS, SWV, CV, DPV, etc.) including quantitative analysis and interpretation.
• Experience developing antibody-, nanobody-, or enzyme-based biosensors, with a strong grasp of affinity binding and signal transduction mechanisms.
• Proficiency with data analysis and modeling tools (Python, MATLAB, R) for quantitative signal interpretation.
• Prior experience in assay validation, reproducibility testing, and Design of Experiments (DoE) within a regulated R&D setting.
• Understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and ISO 13485 principles.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams and leadership levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of electrochemical theory and practice to guide multidisciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with aptamer-based biosensors, SELEX, or in vitro selection techniques.
• Strong ability to interpret complex electrochemical data, including impedance and voltammetry profiles beyond software output.
• Experience operating under ISO 13485 design control and regulatory documentation practices.

Physical Job Requirements

This position is required to work onsite at our office location in St. Louis, MO. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Location and Compensation

This is an onsite, full-time position located in St. Louis, MO.

Anticipated Salary Range: $100,000 to $150,000 annually depending on experience and qualifications.

The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to work location, operational needs, potential employee qualifications, and other considerations permitted by law. The range listed is just one component of our total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, equity, and program-specific awards.

In addition, we provide a variety of other benefits to employees including but not limited to:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) plan.
• Relocation assistance.
• Annual bonuses, equity options, and other awards.

You will have the opportunity to build revolutionary products that can save millions of lives!

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Varro Life Sciences does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Varro Life Sciences does not accept agency resumes. Varro Life Sciences is an E-Verify and equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or Veteran status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

What We Are Looking For - Baseline Skills, Experiences, & Attributes:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. or M.S.) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with emphasis on electrochemistry or biosensors.
• 5+ years of experience in electrochemistry, biosensor development, and diagnostic assay design.
• Hands-on expertise in electrode surface functionalization and bioconjugation chemistry (e.g., thiol-Au, EDC/NHS, click chemistry).
• Demonstrated experience with electrochemical characterization techniques (EIS, SWV, CV, DPV, etc.) including quantitative analysis and interpretation.
• Experience developing antibody-, nanobody-, or enzyme-based biosensors, with a strong grasp of affinity binding and signal transduction mechanisms.
• Proficiency with data analysis and modeling tools (Python, MATLAB, R) for quantitative signal interpretation.
• Prior experience in assay validation, reproducibility testing, and Design of Experiments (DoE) within a regulated R&D setting.
• Understanding of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and ISO 13485 principles.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams and leadership levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of electrochemical theory and practice to guide multidisciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with aptamer-based biosensors, SELEX, or in vitro selection techniques.
• Strong ability to interpret complex electrochemical data, including impedance and voltammetry profiles beyond software output.
• Experience operating under ISO 13485 design control and regulatory documentation practices.

Physical Job Requirements

This position is required to work onsite at our office location in St. Louis, MO. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.