--- title: 'Research Scientist II at Universal DX' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-ii-universal-dx-dallas-ddbp1wqrthqa' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-14' --- # Research Scientist II at Universal DX - **Company:** Universal DX - **Location:** Dallas, TX - **Posted:** 2026-09-24 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-14 - **Apply:** https://www.universaldx.com/careers?gh_jid=4986601101#grnhse_app ## Job description About our Company: Universal DX, Inc. is an international Company with a highly experienced team focused on cracking cancer’s code. Through our multi-omics and bioinformatics models, we have figured out how to read the disease’s signals in blood with high accuracy to detect cancer in its earliest stages. Starting with a colorectal cancer screening liquid biopsy test, we are building a multi-cancer platform that can identify the unique DNA regions associated with different types of cancers. The Opportunity: We are seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist II specializing in Reagent QC Development to join our rapidly growing team. This role will play a critical role in developing and executing quality control (QC) methods for reagents used in our NGS-based diagnostic assays. Reporting to the Director, Reagent Development, this role will oversee reagent QC method development as well as establish reagent freeze/thaw (F/T) stability and onboard reagent stability to ensure robust assay performance and compliance with regulatory standards.  This role will also play an integral role in coordinating the transfer of reagent QC methods and related documentation to the Reagent Manufacturing team. You will be part of a team that is passionate about developing novel diagnostic tests for the early detection of cancer. As part of the team, you will be in a Company that aims to have a huge positive impact on society by achieving the ambitious purpose of “making cancer a curable disease by detecting it earlier” How You’ll Contribute: Reagent QC Method Development: - Support the development and validation of system-level QC methods for assay-critical reagents used in next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and compliance with CLSI guidelines and regulatory standards. - Design and implement studies to support a comprehensive validation framework for reagent QC methods. - Optimize and scale QC workflows to enhance efficiency, reproducibility, and robustness, integrating risk-based approaches to reagent quality control. Reagent Stability Studies: - Design and execute studies to establish the in use and long-term stability of reagents, ensuring long-term reliability. - Conduct onboard stability studies to evaluate reagent performance under simulated real-world conditions. - Partner with Data science team to analyze stability data and determine reagent shelf life and usage guidelines. Documentation and Reporting: - Draft and review study protocols, validation reports, and other technical documentation. - Ensure thorough and accurate record-keeping to support regulatory submissions and audits. Cross-Functional Collaboration: - Partner with internal teams, including Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Affairs, to ensure seamless integration of reagent QC strategies across the product lifecycle - Collaborate with internal and external partners to facilitate process transfer and QC testing. Process Optimization and Compliance: - Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement solutions to enhance efficiency and reproducibility. - Maintain adherence to quality management systems (QMS) and regulatory compliance throughout all QC activities. Qualifications: Required: - Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a related field. - 3+ years of experience in development reagent QC methods for NGS-based IVD assays. - Understanding of reagent QC method development, including functional and stability testing. - Familiarity with regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, IVDR) and industry standards (e.g., CLSI guidelines). - Proven ability to design and manage validation studies. - Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills. - Comfortable working in fast-paced environment with ability to adapt to shifting priorities. Preferred: - Experience in oncology diagnostics or liquid biopsy assays. - Familiarity with automation systems and high-throughput platforms. - Prior experience transferring reagent QC methods from R&D to Manufacturing teams. What we'll offer: - 22 days of PTO with the possibility to carry over 10 days to the following year. - Company Holidays, plus your Birthday off! - Company-sponsored benefit plans, including medical, dental, and vision insurance plus life, STD, and LTD coverage, and 401(k). - Flexible work schedule - And more to come! Why Now? This is an exciting time to be at Universal DX. We are growing rapidly and starting our US operations by building up our team, starting our lab and business operations, and establishing strategic partnerships. We are looking for passionate changemakers to be a part of our journey in this expansive time for us. ## About Universal DX ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Universal DX develops minimally-invasive, blood-based liquid biopsy tests for early cancer detection, starting with colorectal cancer screening. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series unknown; last known venture round in 2018, recent grant and EIB financing) - **Headquarters**: Sevilla, Spain (with offices in Madrid, Spain; Dallas, Texas, USA; and Ljubljana, Slovenia) - **Founded**: 2012 - **Founders**: Juan Martinez-Barea (Founder and Executive President) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / Diagnostics (liquid biopsy, early cancer detection) - **Target customers**: Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinical laboratories, and patients (B2B and B2C via screening programs) - **Mission**: “A future where cancer is curable” – by detecting cancer in its earliest stages when treatment is more effective and survival rates are high. ## Products & Services - **Signal‑C**: A blood‑based colorectal cancer screening test that detects cancer and advanced adenomas with 92% sensitivity and 94% specificity. It uses proprietary methylation markers and a machine‑learning algorithm to analyze a simple blood sample. The test is designed to be processed in standard reference laboratories and is intended for FDA approval and subsequent distribution through Quest Diagnostics. - **Cancer Platform (in development)**: A multi‑cancer platform that aims to detect multiple cancer types (prostate, liver, pancreatic, lung, breast, etc.) through a single blood draw, leveraging the same multi‑omics, computational biology approach. ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed - **Key Metric**: Total funding of **$186.1 million** (as of early 2026, including a €20 million EIB loan in Feb 2025 and a $30 million grant in Jan 2026). Annual revenue is reported at **$4.3 million** (LinkedIn estimate). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Quest Diagnostics (strategic collaboration for US commercialization), European Investment Bank (EIB), Innvierte (CDTI investment program). Clinical partners network of >100 hospitals across the US and Europe. - **Growth Signals**: - Over 14,000 samples collected from clinical studies. - Active clinical collaborations with more than 100 gastrointestinal teams. - Recent patent filings for pancreatic cancer detection methods. - Headcount of 105 employees (as of mid‑2026), with a monthly growth rate of +0.8%. - Presence in 6 countries (US, Spain, Slovenia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Italy). - 22,423 LinkedIn followers with +1.8% monthly growth. ## Competitive Advantages - **Proprietary multi‑omics platform**: Combines epigenomics, methylomics, and machine learning to “read” cancer’s signal in blood, enabling a single‑test, multi‑cancer approach. - **High accuracy for colorectal cancer**: Signal‑C shows 92% sensitivity and 94% specificity, competitive with leading stool‑based tests but with a simpler blood draw. - **Strategic partnership with Quest Diagnostics**: Once FDA‑approved, Signal‑C will be distributed through Quest’s national network, dramatically accelerating adoption and reimbursement. - **Strong clinical validation network**: Over 100 partner hospitals in the US and Europe, providing real‑world data and regulatory credibility. ## Strategic Focus - **FDA approval and commercialization**: The immediate priority is obtaining FDA approval for Signal‑C and launching it through the Quest Diagnostics partnership to capture a share of the US colorectal cancer screening market. - **Expanding the multi‑cancer platform**: Developing blood tests for other high‑burden cancers (pancreatic, liver, lung, breast) to eventually offer a single‑draw screening for >50% of new cancer cases. - **Strengthening the evidence base**: Continuing to present at major conferences (AACR, ASCO) and publish peer‑reviewed studies to support regulatory submissions and clinical uptake. ## Why Work Here - **Mission‑driven culture**: The company’s explicit goal is “making cancer a curable disease by detecting it earlier” – a compelling purpose that attracts talent passionate about healthcare impact. - **Flexible work environment**: Offers a flexible work schedule, remote work opportunities, and a “free day on your birthday.” Employees can also buy extra vacation days. - **Competitive perks**: Fair salaries, optional health insurance, parking incentives, free café amenities at office locations, and a healthy work environment. - **International team**: Offices in Spain (Sevilla, Madrid), the US (Dallas, TX), and Slovenia (Ljubljana). Workforce is split roughly 39% US, 39% Spain, with smaller teams in other countries. - **Open positions** (as of June 2026): 6 active roles including Lab Ops Technical Lead, IVD Scientist, Director of IT, RA Technical Writer, Senior Biostatistician, and Software Development Engineer in Test. (Note: the company’s own careers page may show different availability; LinkedIn lists 6 open positions.) - **Engineering & R&D focus**: 25% of employees are in Research, 17% in Technical roles, with a strong emphasis on data science, biostatistics, and software engineering. - **Talent sources**: Employees often come from leading oncology diagnostics firms (Exact Sciences, Guardant Health, Freenome, Resolution Bioscience), indicating a high‑caliber peer group. ## Sources 1. [universaldx.com](https://www.universaldx.com/) 2. [universaldx.com/about-us](https://www.universaldx.com/about-us) 3. [universaldx.com/careers](https://www.universaldx.com/careers) 4. [universaldx.com/contact](https://www.universaldx.com/contact) 5. [linkedin.com/company/universal-diagnostics-sa](https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-diagnostics-sa/) ## Other roles at Universal DX - [Senior Director and Head of Quality](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-director-and-head-of-quality-universal-dx-united-states-eebngp7350s1) — United States - [Principal Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-program-manager-universal-dx-united-states-5nf57mc29894) — United States - [Program / Project Assistant](https://feeny.ai/job/program-project-assistant-universal-dx-dallas-pe78wzm24znz) — Dallas, TX - [Senior Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-engineer-universal-dx-united-states-9kwm9yxt8ar5) — United States - [R&D Research Associate](https://feeny.ai/job/r-d-research-associate-universal-dx-dallas-8bzcd2yxqdsz) — Dallas, TX - [Research Scientist II](https://feeny.ai/job/research-scientist-ii-axon-ho-chi-minh-city-z65frm272z43) — Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam