Staff Scientist – Molecular Biology

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. One such platform TEEM, which uses target capture enrichment and detection technologies for applications in clinical molecular diagnostics.

We are seeking a Staff Scientist – Molecular Biology to lead the design, characterization, and optimization of DNA probes and hybridization workflows central to TEEM assay performance. This role focuses on nucleic acid thermodynamics, hybridization kinetics, sequence optimization, and assay architecture refinement to improve sensitivity, specificity, and robustness. The scientist will also contribute secondarily to protein engineering tasks that support molecular performance enhancements if needed.

The position is key to accelerating assay optimization and enabling rapid iteration across TEEM molecular workflows.

• Design DNA probes, sequences, and oligonucleotide architectures for TEEM assays
• Characterize hybridization and denaturation behavior under biochemical and electrochemical modulation
• Optimize assay conditions (buffers, temperatures, hybridization times, sequence parameters) to improve sensitivity, selectivity, and dynamic range
• Conduct nucleic acid–based assay performance experiments and generate data-driven recommendations
• Contribute to secondary protein engineering efforts, including variant characterization relevant to assay performance
• Develop and refine molecular workflows for screening and performance benchmarking
• Collaborate closely with Assay Development, Detection, System Integration, and Consumable Engineering
• Document oligo design rationales, protocols, results, and optimization strategies

• Deep experience in DNA probe/oligo design and hybridization thermodynamics
• Strong understanding of sequence‑dependent hybridization, mismatches, and secondary structure
• Experience optimizing nucleic acid assays (molecular diagnostics, biosensors, hybridization assays, qPCR, etc.)
• Sequence alignment, BLAST, primer specificity analysis
• Microbial genome structure: operons, plasmids, resistance elements
• Comparative genomics for diagnostic target selection
• Ability to perform and analyze molecular performance metrics (binding curves, kinetics, sensitivity, selectivity)
• Experience designing oligos for biosensors, electrochemical assays, or surface‑based hybridization
• Knowledge of software tools for oligo design and secondary structure modeling
• Experience with assay miniaturization, multiplexing, or hybridization‑based detection systems
• Strong documentation and scientific communication skills
• Familiarity with protein engineering concepts is preferred

• Ph.D. with a minimum of 6 years industry experience in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biophysics, or a related field with expertise in nucleic acids