Associate Director, Microbiology

Company Overview

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 an Associate Director of Microbiology to build and lead the microbiology function supporting our target detection platform. This is a leadership role responsible for owning microbiology strategy across assay development, sample preparation, and verification/validation (V&V), and for building the team and infrastructure that scale that work from R&D through commercialization.

The ideal candidate is an experienced microbiology leader from a biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, or regulated laboratory environment who pairs deep technical expertise with a track record of building teams and driving cross‑functional programs in a fast-paced R&D setting. Because this is a newly established function, the right person is energized by rolling up their sleeves to do the work today and building the team that will own it tomorrow.

• Own and lead the microbiology function, defining the strategy and roadmap for all microbiological inputs to the R&D pipeline from concept through feasibility, verification, and validation.
• Direct planning, prioritization, and execution of microbiology work across multiple concurrent programs, balancing timelines, resources, and quality.
• Establish the laboratory's microbial strain strategy — sourcing, characterization, banking, inventory governance, and documentation for bacterial and fungal organisms, including clinically relevant pathogens.
• Set standards for and oversee aerobic and anaerobic culturing, microbial sample preparation, and genomic DNA extraction workflows performed under BSL-2 conditions.
• Oversee generation of contrived and mock clinical samples, microbial panels, dilution series, and mixed‑organism samples used for assay development, subsystem testing, and V&V.

• Build the microbiology team from the ground up: define the team structure, write the roles, and hire your first microbiologists and research associates.
• In the interim, personally execute the microbiology workload — bench and documentation alike — until the team is in place to take it on.
• Set goals, allocate work, develop talent, and establish performance standards and operating cadence for a growing laboratory.
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, biosafety, and quality, and mentor staff in microbial handling and documentation best practices.

• Partner with other R&D functions (engineering, assay development, integration) to direct development of sample preparation methodologies, control selection and design, and transition of assay chemistry from the R&D bench to high‑volume cGMP production.
• Lead the design of verification and validation studies, in concert with Regulatory Affairs and Assay Development, that meet global regulatory requirements including FDA and European IVDR.
• Direct the microbial genomic DNA characterization strategy supporting oligonucleotide screening, assay development, and verification studies.
• Drive the design, development, and scaling of an innovative molecular assay platform, bridging early‑stage process development through commercial manufacturing and ensuring diagnostic kits are scalable, robust, and regulatory‑compliant.

• Establish and own microbiology workflows and SOPs, and ensure traceability and data integrity…