Principal Scientist, Platform Architecture & Molecular Selectivity

Sarmal Inc•San Diego, CA

8d•$180,000 - $190,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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)
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
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