Research Associate I/II – Microbiology & Molecular Biology
About The Position
Sarmal, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented Research Associate to join its R&D team developing diagnostic technologies. The role supports the development, optimization, and analytical evaluation of molecular and microbiological assays for diagnostic applications. It involves hands-on laboratory research, including microbial culture, nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, sample preparation, and biological specimen analysis. The successful candidate will bring strong microbiology and molecular biology skills, sound experimental judgment, and an interest in translating laboratory technologies into reliable, scalable diagnostic products. Sarmal is a San Diego-based biotechnology company developing genomics and molecular detection platforms. The company describes its environment as collaborative, R&D-driven, fast-paced, and early-stage, with scientists and engineers working across disciplines. The role also collaborates with scientists, engineers, automation teams, and other R&D colleagues to integrate sample preparation and biological assays with diagnostic platforms and technologies, and supports technology transfer, assay verification and validation, and scale-up as projects advance toward product development. The position requires hands-on microbiology and molecular biology experience, including work with aerobic and anaerobic organisms, nucleic acid extraction and amplification, and sample preparation workflows. A bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline is required. The stated annual salary range is $72,000–$85,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Requirements
- Hands-on microbiology laboratory experience, including aseptic technique, culture, isolation, Gram staining, identification, enumeration, and characterization of microorganisms, including aerobic and anaerobic organisms.
- Experience with DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, gel electrophoresis, and nucleic acid purification.
- Experience with nucleic acid quantification and quality assessment using Qubit, NanoDrop, qPCR-based quantification, or equivalent methods.
- Experience developing, optimizing, or troubleshooting sample preparation and nucleic acid extraction workflows from biological or clinical sample matrices.
- Experience safely handling and culturing microorganisms in a BSL-2 laboratory environment.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate, thorough laboratory documentation.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary R&D team.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related discipline.
Nice To Haves
- Experience culturing and characterizing clinically relevant bacterial and/or fungal organisms, including aerobic and anaerobic organisms.
- Experience extracting nucleic acids from complex biological matrices, particularly whole blood or other clinical specimen types.
- Experience with PCR, qPCR, multiplex PCR, isothermal amplification, or other nucleic acid amplification technologies.
- Experience preparing microbial dilution series.
- Familiarity generating contrived or mock clinical samples by spiking microorganisms into relevant biological matrices.
- Experience with automated or semi-automated nucleic acid extraction platforms, such as KingFisher or comparable magnetic bead-based extraction systems.
- Experience evaluating sample preparation or assay performance, including microbial or nucleic acid recovery, analytical sensitivity, reproducibility, matrix effects, and inhibition.
Responsibilities
- Perform microbiological workflows, including aerobic and anaerobic culture, microbial identification, dilution series preparation, enumeration, Gram staining, and microorganism characterization.
- Perform molecular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, nucleic acid purification, and quantification or quality assessment using Qubit, NanoDrop, qPCR-based quantification, or equivalent methods.
- Develop and optimize sample preparation and nucleic acid extraction workflows for clinical or biological specimens, including host/background depletion, microbial lysis, enrichment or concentration, purification, and recovery.
- Design, execute, and optimize experiments supporting molecular and microbiological diagnostic assay development.
- Prepare and characterize biological samples, controls, standards, and reference materials for assay development.
- Generate, organize, and analyze experimental data, and communicate results to project teams.
- Maintain detailed laboratory records and perform experimental work according to established protocols and quality practices.
- Contribute to the development and optimization of SOPs, protocols, and assay documentation.
- Collaborate with scientists, engineers, automation teams, and other R&D team members to integrate sample preparation and biological assays with diagnostic platforms and technologies.
- Support technology transfer, assay verification and validation, and scale-up activities as projects progress toward product development.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Company-paid life insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Generous paid time off.
- Additional voluntary benefits, employee perks, and discount programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
