Staff Scientist, Surface Chemistry

Element Biosciences; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 158,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Discretionary annual bonus

No cost health insurance plans

401k with company match

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

Element Biosciences is looking for a highly motivated Staff Scientist in San Diego. You will lead the development of innovative products in next-generation sequencing and multiomics. This involves critical scientific leadership, project management, and collaboration across functions.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD and has extensive experience in surface chemistry. This full-time role includes a competitive salary and benefits including stock options and health insurance.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of relevant industry experience in surface chemistry or materials science.
• Strong publication and presentation record in life sciences.
• Expertise in polymer chemistry and biomolecule–surface interactions.

Responsibilities

• Design and evaluate novel surface chemistry approaches for sequencing applications.
• Define and lead product development efforts including experimental design.
• Troubleshoot performance issues related to surface chemistry.

Skills

Surface chemistry

Materials science

Biomolecular interfaces

NGS and multiomics platforms

Microfluidic device design

Education

PhD in chemistry, materials science, biochemistry, bioengineering, physics

Tools

AFM

Ellipsometry

FTIR

SEM

XPS

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 Staff Scientist to join our surface chemistry team and provide scientific leadership in the development of innovative new products in the field of next-generation sequencing and multiomics applications. In this role, you will lead execution across multiple projects, drive innovation through original ideas and thought leadership, and serve as a key scientific collaborator across functions 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 evaluate novel surface chemistry solutions on microfluidic and lab-on-chip devices, with a strong understanding of how device geometry and flow conditions influence surface performance and assay outcomes
• Define and lead 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 scientific leadership, setting the direction for laboratory experimentation and troubleshooting while mentoring junior scientists and guiding their technical development
• 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
• 6+ 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
• Background in NGS, genomics, proteomics or multiomics platforms is required
• Familiarity with microfluidic device design principles and an understanding of how channel geometry, surface‑to‑volume ratios, and flow dynamics influence surface chemistry performance and assay outcomes; experience with device fabrication (e.g., soft lithography, PDMS) or working with commercial lab‑on‑chip 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 that shape project scope and organizational priorities
• Communicate with clarity and purpose across disciplines, enabling alignment, informed decisions, and efficient collaboration

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 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

Travel

• Up to 5%

Job Type

• Full‑time, Exempt

Base Compensation Pay Range

• $158,000 – $197,000

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.