---
title: 'Scientist/Sr. Scientist, Biochemistry – NGS Assay Development at Sarmal Inc'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-sr-scientist-biochemistry-ngs-assay-development-sarmal-inc-san-diego-pys1d4fzxwcy'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-15'
---

# Scientist/Sr. Scientist, Biochemistry – NGS Assay Development at Sarmal Inc

- **Company:** Sarmal Inc
- **Location:** San Diego, CA
- **Compensation:** $110k–$145k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-15
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/sarmal-inc/013eb157-206a-4e28-bc72-f238f1bbd73c

## Job description

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.

## About the Job

The Scientist/ Sr. Scientist will develop and optimize biochemistry for Sarmal's NGS platform. Responsibilities include sequencing assay development, flow cell biochemistry, surface-attached oligonucleotide reactions, sequencing reagent optimization, optical detection, and assay characterization.

The scientist will design experiments to improve sequencing performance, optimize reagent formulations, characterize assay robustness, and evaluate analytical performance using integrated sequencing instrumentation. Working collaboratively with engineering, optics, software, manufacturing, and systems teams, the individual will help translate research concepts into commercial sequencing products.

Ideal candidates possess two years or more of hands-on experience with existing NGS technologies, or similar surface-based sequencing technologies, including development of sequencing reagents, flow cells, fluorescence assays, or integrated genomic instrumentation.

## Key Responsibilities

- Design, develop, and optimize NGS sequencing assays and biochemical workflows.

- Develop and optimize sequencing reagent formulations including enzymes, buffers, nucleotides, oligos, and fluorescent/luminescent reagents.

- Design experiments involving surface-attached oligonucleotides and flow cell chemistry.

- Optimize sequencing reactions and fluorescence/luminescence signal generation.

- Characterize sequencing performance including read quality, signal intensity, phasing/pre-phasing, background, and error rates.

- Develop and optimize flow cell assays and surface chemistry.

- Evaluate reagent stability and sequencing consumable performance.

- Support integrated instrument testing with engineering and systems teams.

- Collaborate with optics, software, microfluidics, and hardware engineers during product development.

- Analyze sequencing datasets to identify assay performance improvements.

## Qualifications

- Strong foundation in molecular biology, biochemistry, or nucleic acid chemistry.

- Hands-on experience developing biochemical or molecular assays.

- Two years or more of relevant experience with next-generation sequencing assay development or sequencing chemistry.

- Experience working with flow cells, surface-attached oligonucleotides, or solid-phase biochemical reactions.

- Experience with fluorescence- and luminescence-based assays, fluorescent dyes, or optical detection systems.

- Experience developing or optimizing sequencing reagents and consumables.

- Understanding of hybridization kinetics, enzymology, polymerase-based reactions, and nucleic acid surface chemistry.

- Experience working with integrated laboratory or diagnostic instrumentation.

- Strong experimental design, statistical analysis, troubleshooting, and technical communication skills.

Education & Experience

- Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline with 1–3 years of industry experience, or M.S. with 3–5+ years of relevant industry experience.

- Demonstrated experience developing biochemical assays, sequencing assays, or molecular biology workflows.

- Experience with flow cell technologies, fluorescence detection, surface chemistry, reagent development, or sequencing consumables is highly desirable.

- Experience supporting product development from feasibility through verification and commercialization is preferred.

- Experience working in multidisciplinary product development teams is preferred.

## Benefits & Perks

Sarmal offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including:

- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Company-paid life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Generous paid time off
- Access to additional voluntary benefits, employee perks, and discount programs
- We are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees and providing a strong foundation for both professional and personal success.

## Why Join Sarmal

Work on cutting-edge genomics and molecular detection technologies Collaborate with a deeply technical, cross-functional team Contribute to foundational platform development at an early stage Have visibility into and impact on core technical and strategic decisions Help shape the infrastructure, culture, and future direction of the company Closing Statement Join us in advancing the next generation of genomic technologies and shaping the future of precision health.

## About Sarmal Inc

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Sarmal is a San Diego-based genomics company developing next-generation innovations in advanced nucleic acid sequencing and target sequence detection.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Venture Capital-Backed; Latest Deal Type: Series A1)
- **Headquarters**: San Diego, California, United States (9310 Athena Circle, Suite 250, La Jolla, CA 92037)
- **Founded**: 2019
- **Founders**: Inanc Ortac (CEO, Founder, CSO)

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Biotechnology / Genomics
- **Target Customers**: B2B (healthcare and research sectors)
- **Mission/Purpose**: To develop breakthrough technologies in advanced nucleic acid sequencing and nucleic acid-based detection, making genetic analysis and molecular testing fast, accessible, and cost-effective.

## Products & Services
- **FLASH Sequencing Platform**: A single-molecule DNA sequencing technology that can achieve unlimited read lengths, enabling whole-genome sequencing with low-cost devices and low error rates.
- **TEEM Target Detection Platform**: A portable, field-deployable nucleic acid-based diagnostic platform for molecular testing.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly available (latest round: Series A1)
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding of $5M (Series A1, closed January 2026)
- **Notable Investors**: BUBA Ventures, MENE Ventures
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount has grown 300% year-over-year to 14 employees; active job postings (2 open roles as of latest data); has filed 7 patents, with one granted in August 2024 for "Methods for single molecule sequencing."

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proprietary Technology**: The FLASH Sequencing Platform’s ability to achieve unlimited read lengths is a significant differentiator in the genomics field, potentially enabling lower-cost, more comprehensive genome sequencing.
- **Interdisciplinary Team**: Combines expertise across biology, chemistry, engineering, and software to build transformative genomic technologies.
- **Patent Portfolio**: 7 patents filed, providing intellectual property protection for core technologies.

## Strategic Focus
- **Current Priority**: Scaling the team and advancing both the FLASH Sequencing and TEEM Target Detection platforms from R&D toward commercialization.
- **Direction**: To transform genomics by making whole-genome sequencing accessible and field-deployable diagnostics a reality.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: A small, entrepreneurial R&D team (14 people) focused on breakthrough innovation. The team brings together interdisciplinary expertise, offering a hands-on, high-impact environment.
- **Work Policy**: All current job postings (Associate Director - Microbiology, Test Engineer 2, Procurement Specialist, Research Associate II, Scientist/Sr. Scientist, Staff Sci, RA II/Sr. RA) are listed as **On-site** in San Diego. No remote or hybrid options are currently advertised.
- **Notable Perks**: The company uses AI tools to support the hiring process but emphasizes that final hiring decisions are made by humans. The small team size suggests significant ownership and visibility across projects.
- **Engineering Culture**: Strong focus on cutting-edge science in a startup environment; employees come from companies like Encodia, Ansa Biotechnologies, and TriLink BioTechnologies.

## Sources
1. [LinkedIn - Sarmal Inc](https://linkedin.com/company/sarmal-inc)
2. [Sarmal Careers Page (Lever)](https://jobs.lever.co/sarmal-inc)
3. [CB Insights - Sarmal](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/sarmal)
4. [PitchBook - Sarmal Company Profile](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/593263-63)
5. [The Org - Sarmal, Inc.](https://theorg.com/org/sarmal-inc)

## Other roles at Sarmal Inc

- [Procurement Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/procurement-specialist-sarmal-inc-san-diego-2mqhwvadr5vz) — San Diego, CA
- [Sr Manufacturing Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-manufacturing-technician-sarmal-inc-san-diego-g72v8n3ftbpg) — San Diego, CA
- [RA II or Sr. RA -Systems Integration](https://feeny.ai/job/ra-ii-or-sr-ra-systems-integration-sarmal-inc-san-diego-mf4tdsgppr89) — San Diego, CA
- [Product Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/product-manager-sarmal-inc-san-diego-1k3wv4s7cv43) — San Diego, CA
- [Sr. Research Associate -Systems Integration](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-research-associate-systems-integration-sarmal-inc-san-diego-zy5jkraf83cm) — San Diego, CA
- [Principal Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-mechanical-engineer-sarmal-inc-san-diego-rc7g03tfamk1) — San Diego, CA
- [Staff Sci, Assay Development (Reagents)](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-sci-assay-development-reagents-sarmal-inc-san-diego-1t8tdt6e2rdn) — San Diego, CA
- [Staff Quality Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-quality-engineer-sarmal-inc-san-diego-vxrwqd0gd8f6) — San Diego, CA
- [Principal Optical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-optical-engineer-sarmal-inc-san-diego-ecxpfer56wha) — San Diego, CA
- [Sr./Staff Scientist – Surface Chemistry](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-staff-scientist-surface-chemistry-sarmal-inc-san-diego-ndz1ttvh2jdv) — San Diego, CA