Postdoctoral Associate, Bioengineering

Sonder Research X; North Brunswick Township (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous paid time off

401(k) plan

Annual professional development budget

Coursera subscription

Job summary

A pioneering biotechnology company in North Brunswick Township is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate in Bioengineering to support its diagnostic platform development. This hands-on role requires expertise in experimental design and microfluidic chip fabrication. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. and possess strong problem-solving and collaboration skills. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage and an annual professional development budget, with opportunities for growth as the company scales toward commercialization.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience in laboratory experiments.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex experimental systems.
• Experience with precision-based workflows.

Responsibilities

• Perform microfluidic chip fabrication processes.
• Execute experiments using microfluidic platforms.
• Analyze experimental data and improve protocols.

Skills

Experimental design

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Microfluidic systems

Education

Ph.D. in Bioengineering or related discipline

Tools

Microfluidic chips

Lab automation systems

Job description

Sonder Research X is a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to advancing and innovating cancer diagnostics. Our team integrates biology, engineering, and data science to develop next‑generation diagnostic technologies in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment where precision, accountability, and cross‑functional teamwork are critical to success.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate in Bioengineering to support the development, fabrication, and validation of experimental systems central to our diagnostic platform. This hands‑on, laboratory‑based role focuses on designing and executing experiments across device‑based and assay‑driven workflows, with ownership of microfluidic device fabrication and validation processes. The ideal candidate is a strong experimentalist who can operate across disciplines, troubleshoot complex systems, and adapt quickly as research priorities evolve.

Key Responsibilities

Device Fabrication & Chip Development

• Perform microfluidic chip fabrication processes, including bonding and casting
• Execute wafer‑related workflows—preparation, validation, handling, and documentation
• Maintain consistency and quality across fabrication processes to support experimental reliability
• Identify and troubleshoot fabrication‑related issues impacting device performance

Device‑Based Systems & Microfluidics

• Execute experiments using microfluidic or other device‑based platforms
• Support preparation, testing, and validation of experimental systems, including flow‑based and imaging workflows
• Contribute to the optimization of system performance through structured experimentation and troubleshooting

Experimental Design & Execution

• Design, plan, and execute laboratory experiments across engineering and assay‑based workflows
• Prepare reagents and perform end‑to‑end experimental procedures with a high degree of precision and reproducibility
• Analyze experimental data and iterate on protocols to improve performance and reliability

Engineering & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across biology, engineering, and data science
• Contribute to the development of new experimental approaches and improvements to existing systems
• Troubleshoot complex experimental and system‑level challenges in a fast‑paced environment

Documentation & Scientific Communication

• Maintain detailed, accurate, and compliant documentation of experimental procedures and results
• Ensure reproducibility and traceability of all work
• Present findings internally and contribute to technical discussions and project updates

Requirements

Key Qualifications

Education & Core Experience

• Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline

Experimental & Technical Capability

• Strong hands‑on experience designing and executing laboratory experiments in a wet‑lab or device‑based environment
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex experimental systems and adapt to evolving research needs
• Experience working with precision‑based experimental workflows requiring high reproducibility and attention to detail

Engineering Mindset

• Ability to take ownership of technical workflows, including system setup, execution, and optimization
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve system‑level challenges

Collaboration & Communication

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, interdisciplinary environment
• Strong documentation and communication skills to support reproducibility and cross‑functional alignment

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with microfluidic systems or other device‑based experimental platforms, including exposure to fabrication workflows
• Experience with microfluidic chip fabrication, including bonding, casting, or wafer‑based workflows
• Familiarity with microfabrication techniques or cleanroom environments
• Experience with device validation workflows, including flow‑based testing or imaging techniques
• Experience operating, programming, or maintaining lab automation systems, including liquid‑handling robotics, to support experimental workflows
• Experience working in multidisciplinary environments, integrating engineering and biology

Benefits

The comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, a 401(k), an annual professional development budget, and a Coursera subscription.

Growth Opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to develop deep expertise in device fabrication and chip‑based systems at a critical stage in our platform's development. As Sonder Research X continues to scale toward commercialization, high‑performing individuals will have the opportunity to take on greater ownership of fabrication processes and grow into roles of increasing responsibility. We are building for the long term and investing in the people who help us get there.