Senior Scientist, Surface Chemistry San Diego - Headquarters Regular Full Time

Element Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Discretionary annual bonus

Health insurance plans

401k with company match

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

Element Biosciences is seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join the surface chemistry team in San Diego. This role involves designing and evaluating innovative surface chemistry approaches for next-generation sequencing and multiomics applications. You will troubleshoot experimental challenges, lead product development efforts, and contribute to patent applications, collaborating closely with various teams in a dynamic environment. The position offers a salary range of $133,000 - $173,000 and additional benefits including stock options and health plans.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant industry experience in surface chemistry or materials science.
• Strong publication and presentation record, with contributions to patents.
• Experience with functional coatings for biological assays.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop novel surface chemistry approaches for sequencing/multiomics.
• Lead product development efforts from experimental design to functional testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and prepare technical reports.

Skills

Surface chemistry

Biomolecule–surface interactions

Cell biology

Analytical techniques (e.g., AFM, FTIR)

Education

PhD in chemistry, materials science, or related field

Tools

Microfluidics

Lab-on-chip devices

Job description

At Element Biosciences, we are passionate about our mission to empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity. We have built a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment. We are committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join our surface chemistry team and contribute to the development of innovative new products in the field of next-generation sequencing and multiomics applications. In this role, you will lead technical execution within defined projects, contribute original ideas, and collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to translate research concepts into robust, manufacturable products. This role will report to the Director, Surface Chemistry and will be a San Diego based role.

If you possess the following and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to explore this role.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and evaluate novel surface chemistry approaches to enable next-generation sequencing/multiomics applications
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate cell–material interfaces using relevant in vitro models
• Lead defined product development efforts, including experimental design, prototyping, functional testing, and data analysis
• Troubleshoot performance issues related to surface fouling, non‑specific binding, or cell compatibility
• Identify and resolve experimental challenges related to assay design, protocol execution, reagent selection, and surface performance
• Support the transfer of surface chemistry solutions from research into product development and manufacturing, in collaboration with process development and operations teams
• Maintain hands‑on involvement in laboratory experimentation and troubleshooting throughout the development lifecycle
• Contribute innovative ideas and technical insight to early‑stage concept development and feasibility assessments
• Contribute technical expertise to invention disclosures and patent applications in collaboration with the IP legal team and senior technical leadership
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues in product management, assay development, engineering, and manufacturing to ensure alignment and successful execution
• Prepare and deliver high‑quality technical reports and presentations that summarize findings, support decision‑making, and document development progress

Education and Experience

• PhD in chemistry, materials science, biochemistry, bioengineering, physics, or a related field
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience in surface chemistry, materials science, or biomolecular interfaces in life sciences or diagnostics
• Strong publication and presentation record, with contributions to patents or novel methods
• Deep expertise in surface chemistry, polymer chemistry and biomolecule–surface interactions is required
• Strong understanding of cell biology, especially cell adhesion and extracellular matrix interactions
• Hands‑on experience developing functional coatings for cell‑based/biological assays in microfluidics or lab‑on‑chip devices is highly preferred
• Background in NGS, genomics, proteomics or multiomics platforms is preferred
• Familiarity with surface analytical techniques such as AFM, ellipsometry, FTIR, SEM, TOF‑SIMS, and XPS are preferred
• Familiarity with manufacturing constraints, process transfer or scale‑up
• Operate with a high degree of independence in experimental planning, execution, and data interpretation, requiring minimal day‑to‑day supervision
• Apply strong scientific judgment to extrapolate from existing expertise and address novel or ambiguous technical challenges
• Proactively identify risks, knowledge gaps, and opportunities, and propose data‑driven paths forward within defined project scope
• Communicate with clarity and purpose across disciplines, enabling alignment, informed decisions, and efficient collaboration

Physical Requirements

• Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 20 pounds
• The position requires physical activity and the handling of chemicals. Candidates are required to follow the safety protocols and be familiar with personal protective equipment (PPE) while working in the laboratory environment

Location

Travel

• Up to 5% or as needed

Job Type

• Full-time, Exempt

Base Compensation Pay Range

• $133,000 - $173,000

In addition to base compensation noted above, you will be eligible for stock options, discretionary annual bonus, no cost health insurance plans, 401k with company match, and flexible paid time off.

Please note: Base compensation will depend on multiple factors, including geographic location, qualifications, and experience.

We foster an environment such that all people are afforded the freedom to pursue their passions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.