Senior Scientist, Biochemistry & Assay Development

Sarmal Inc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Life insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Employee perks program

Job summary

Sarmal, Inc. is a San Diego–based biotechnology company developing next-generation genomics technologies. We seek a Senior Scientist in biochemistry and protein science to drive assay development, enzyme of protein detection, and integration with platform surfaces.

The role emphasizes translational work from concept to diagnostic workflows. You will lead recombinant protein expression, purification, and conjugation efforts, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize multi-step

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry or related field; or MS with 5+ years of industry experience.
• Strong hands-on experience in biochemical assay development.
• Experience with recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization.
• Demonstrated success designing, executing, and troubleshooting complex experiments.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary R&D environments.
• Strong scientific communication and data presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize quantitative biochemical and molecular assays for protein detection.
• Establish assay performance criteria: sensitivity, specificity, dynamic range, precision, reproducibility.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate assays into platform workflows.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to documentation and SOPs.

Skills

Biochemistry

Protein science

Assay development

ddPCR

NGS readouts

Protein expression

Purification

Bioconjugation chemistry

Plate-based assays

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry

MS with 5+ years industry

Tools

GraphPad Prism

Excel

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 teamoperatingin 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.

AtSarmal, we value scientific rigor, curiosity, anda buildermindset. 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 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 platform. This role focuses on developing and optimizing plate-based biochemical assays, preparing and characterizing DNA-barcoded affinity reagents (antibody‑oligonucleotide conjugates), and establishingquantitative 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 onoptimizingcomplex multi‑step workflows and enjoys bridging chemistry with biology.

Key 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

Qualifications

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

Education

• 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 & Perks

Sarmal offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 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.

$140,000 - $180,000 a year

California Pay Transparency Statement.

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.

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.