Principal Scientist, Platform Architecture & Molecular Selectivity

Sarmal; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Sarmal, Inc. in San Diego is seeking a Principal Scientist to serve as the principal technical architect of our EPCC platform.

This role owns the core scientific thesis that sets our technology apart from passive immunoassays: active, multi-layered selectivity applied during the assay itself—built from engineered capture chemistry, directional surface functionalization, molecular discrimination, and electromodulated tuning of the interfacial environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering or a related field.
• 8 years combined post‑doctoral and industry experience developing electrochemical sensing or biosensing platforms.
• Deep experience in bioconjugation and surface functionalization with directional immobilization.
• Strong molecular biology toolkit including PCR/qPCR, RCA, ddPCR, NGS, and barcoding.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute POC experiments to validate applications (cardiac, sepsis, epigenomics).
• Package validated POC assays and support transfer to product development and scale‑up.
• Define platform architecture and lead cross‑workstream collaboration across teams.
• Mentor staff and contribute to IP strategy and external engagement.

Skills

Multidisciplinary leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Molecular biology toolkit

Bioconjugation

Surface functionalization

PCR/qPCR

Data analysis/DOE

Python/R

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Bioengineering

8 years post‑doctoral and industry experience

Tools

Functionalized surfaces

Electrochemical sensing

Job description

Company Overview

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. We are looking for individuals who are energized by ambiguity, motivated by impact, and excited to help bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

About The Job

We are seeking a Principal Scientist to serve as the principal technical architect of our EPCC (Electromodulated Protein Capture & Characterization) platform. This role owns the core scientific thesis that sets our technology apart from passive immunoassays: active, multi-layered selectivity applied during the assay itself — built from engineered capture chemistry, directional surface functionalization, molecular (amplification-based) discrimination, and tunable electromodulation of the local interfacial environment.

You will define how capture agents are designed and immobilized, how targets are selectively captured and read out, and how protein-capture and nucleic-acid readouts integrate from a single sample input, and you will set the cross-workstream technical roadmap spanning cardiac, sepsis, and epigenomics applications. Your primary objective is to design and execute the proof-of-concept experiments that validate and de-risk each application, then transfer them cleanly to our product development teams for productization. Working at the center of the team, you will define the platform-level architecture that our surface chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and clinical translation scientists build against. This is our most senior individual-contributor scientific role and carries principal technical authority.

Key Responsibilities

Proof-of-Concept Execution & Technology Transfer

• Own the platform's primary objective: design, execute, and interpret proof-of-concept (POC) experiments that establish feasibility and de-risk each application (cardiac, sepsis, epigenomics)
• Set clear success criteria, feasibility gates, and readiness milestones that move an assay from concept to demonstrated proof of concept
• Package validated POC assays — protocols, characterization data, and design rationale — for clean transfer to the product development teams, and support them through productization and scale-up

Platform Architecture & Selectivity Science

• Own the multi-layer selectivity model that combines affinity capture, directional surface functionalization, molecular discrimination, and electromodulated tuning to achieve specific capture and release at functionalized electrodes
• Direct the design and directional immobilization of capture agents (antibodies, aptamers, engineered binders) on functionalized surfaces (ITO, gold), including bioconjugation, site‑specific attachment, and glycan‑oxidation / Protein A/G pathways
• Define platform performance envelopes — selectivity, capture efficiency, dwell time, and background — and translate them into design requirements for the chemistry, molecular biology, and assay teams
• Convert the platform's active, in‑assay selectivity into quantitative, defensible advantages over standard immunoassays

Molecular Readout & Amplification Architecture

• Own the nucleic‑acid readout architecture, including immunoRCA / rolling‑circle and on‑surface primer‑extension schemes, ddPCR eluate readout, and barcoding / decoding informatics
• Direct primer, probe, and amplification design, and characterize polymerase and enzyme performance (e.g., modified‑nucleotide acceptance) for on‑surface and solution readouts
• Define the integrated protein‑capture and nucleic‑acid co‑read architecture from a single sample input, and the logic for readout‑mode selection by application

Modeling, Data & Validation

• Build data‑driven and statistical models of capture / release behavior and selectivity across target classes and sample matrices; lead design of experiments (DOE) and root‑cause analysis for platform‑level deviations
• Establish assay‑data infrastructure — schema, pipelines, and visualization — to drive characterization and decision‑making across workstreams
• Apply statistical inference, machine learning, and quantitative analysis to relate assay conditions to performance (LoD / LoQ, precision, dynamic range, reproducibility)

Cross‑Workstream Technical Leadership

• Serve as principal technical authority across the EPCC, cardiac, sepsis, and epigenomics workstreams
• Set experimental standards, review designs, and align cross‑functional teams on a shared architecture
• Mentor staff and senior scientists and build technical depth across the team

Grants, Intellectual Property & External Engagement

• Lead SBIR / STTR grant efforts — author proposals and specific aims, and serve as technical lead / principal investigator on awarded programs, managing milestones, budgets, and reporting
• Drive invention disclosures and patent strategy around the platform's selectivity and readout approach; partner with patent counsel on filings, claim development, and prior‑art / freedom‑to‑operate review
• Represent the platform to partners, collaborators, and investors, and contribute to publications and grant narratives

Qualifications

Experience

• Demonstrated record translating molecular concepts from bench to validated assay or diagnostic platforms, across graduate and industry research
• Cross‑functional technical leadership across multidisciplinary R&D teams
• Deep experience in bioconjugation and surface functionalization — directional biomolecule immobilization on solid supports (glass, ITO, gold, or comparable)
• Strong molecular biology toolkit: PCR / qPCR, primer and probe design, amplification chemistries (RCA / RPA / ddPCR), next‑generation sequencing (NGS), and barcoding / decoding schemes
• Protein engineering, preparation, and characterization (e.g., directed evolution, bioconjugation, analytical and spectroscopic characterization)
• Quantitative selectivity, sensitivity, dynamic‑range, and reproducibility assessment for assays or biosensors
• Data‑science and computational proficiency: Python and/or R, statistical modeling, design of experiments, and assay‑data infrastructure; familiarity with machine learning and/or computer vision a strong plus

Preferred

• Microfluidic and/or point‑of‑care diagnostic development
• Familiarity with diagnostic performance requirements (LoD / LoQ, precision, interference) and FDA Design Controls / ISO 13485
• Exposure to electromodulated or field‑tunable capture / release chemistries and to electrochemical characterization (EIS, CV, DPV); deep electrochemistry specialization is not required, as a dedicated electrochemistry sub‑team supports the platform
• Background bridging immunoassay and nucleic‑acid (ddPCR / NGS) readout architectures
• Strong publication and/or patent record

Education

• Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field
• Industry Experience: 8 years combined post‑doctoral and industry experience developing electrochemical sensing or biosensing platforms

Benefits & Perks

• 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
• We are committed to supporting the well‑being of our employees and providing a strong foundation for both professional and personal success.

$180,000 - $190,000 a year

California Pay Transparency Statement.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $180,000 – $190,000, 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.

EEO Statement

Sarmal is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Sarmal is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and consider all qualified candidates in accordance with applicable laws.

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

Closing Statement

Join us in advancing the next generation of genomic technologies and shaping the future of precision health.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.