Senior Scientist, Biochemistry & Assay Development

Sarmal; 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. in San Diego seeks a Senior Scientist with biochemistry and protein science expertise to advance plate-based assays and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, aligning with surface chemistry and diagnostic workflows.

The role emphasizes recombinant protein expression, bioconjugation, assay optimization, and cross-functional collaboration across chemistry, engineering, and platform development, with leadership responsibilities and patent/publication opportunities.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Assay development & optimization for protein detection and characterization.
• Establish and validate assay performance including sensitivity and specificity.
• Develop orthogonal methods and robust workflows for complex samples.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate workflows into platform.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to publications and patents.

Skills

Assay development

Protein expression

Troubleshooting experiments

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry

MS + 5+ years industry

Tools

Chromatography

SDS-PAGE

Western blotting

ddPCR

NGS workflows

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.

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 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 establishing quantitive 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 on optimizing complex 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

• 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.

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.