Staff Scientist – Materials Science​/Surface Chemistry

Sarmal, Inc. is an innovative biotech company based in San Diego, California developing revolutionary genomics platforms that aim to transform the fields of genetic testing and sequencing. We are seeking a Staff Material Scientist / Surface Chemist to develop and characterize functionalized surfaces of consumables for our TEEM platform. This role focuses on surface passivation, oligonucleotide grafting strategies, polymer and surface chemistry, and analytical characterization of surface properties.

This candidate will support the development of consumable architectures, establish QC and characterization methods, and collaborate with Assay Development, Operations, and QA/QC teams to ensure reliably manufactured surfaces for integration builds.

• Development and optimization of various functionalized surfaces for TEEM molecular diagnostic platform.
• Development and optimization of surface passivation strategies.
• Development and optimization of oligonucleotide attachment chemistries.
• Conduct analytical surface characterization using tools such as XPS, FTIR, ToF-SIMS, SEM, TEM, etc.
• Collaborate with Assay Development to evaluate hybridization performance and surface-assay interactions.
• Establish QC characterization methods and acceptance criteria for surface-functionalized consumables
• Interface with Operations and QA/QC to support documentation, process improvements, process transfer, and early manufacturing workflows.
• Contribute to troubleshooting surface performance issues and root-cause analysis.

• Experience in developing functionalized surfaces, passivation layers, or polymer coatings.
• Strong understanding of SAMs, CRP polymer chemistry, functionalized thin-films, surface activation, CVD & PECVD.
• Solid empirical knowledge of bioconjugations in the context of microarrays and biointerfaces.
• Hands-on experience with analytical surface characterization methods (XPS, FTIR, SIMS, SEM/TEM, profilometry).
• Experience with oligonucleotide grafting or biosensor surface functionalization preferred.
• Experience with biosensor consumables or functionalized materials in diagnostics.
• Experience with maskless photolithography is a plus.
• Working knowledge of electrochemical characterization methodologies (CV & EIS) is a plus.
• Familiarity with QC method development for surface characterization.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with engineering, assay, and operations teams.

• B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree in Materials Science, Surface Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum experience of 7 years with B.S., 5 years with M.S., or 3 years with Ph.D.