---
title: 'Senior Scientist, Surface Chemistry at Ultima Genomics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-scientist-surface-chemistry-ultima-genomics-fremont-california-ckyejr8e1tx1'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Senior Scientist, Surface Chemistry at Ultima Genomics

- **Company:** Ultima Genomics
- **Location:** Fremont California, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-06-11
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/ultimagenomics/jobs/6020366004

## Job description

Rapidly Growing Life Sciences Technology Company

Ultima Genomics is a rapidly growing company that is developing ground-breaking genomics technologies. Our mission is to continuously drive the scale of genomic information to enable unprecedented advances in biology and improvements in human health. We have developed a foundational new approach to sequencing at scale that overcomes limitations due to the high costs of current technologies. We are well-funded and have raised approximately $600 million from global top-tier investors. Our team brings together unique and diverse expertise across multiple disciplines, from healthcare and life sciences, to engineering, to technology and software and beyond. We are a collaborative group, including successful entrepreneurs, chemists, hardware and software engineers, genomics and biotechnology experts, molecular and computational biologists, software and algorithm experts, and operations and commercial leaders. Join us to develop and commercialize technologies that unleash the power of genomics at scale and empower the future of human health.

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Scientist, Surface Chemistry to join our team!

As a Senior Scientist, Surface Chemistry, you will lead R&D and process development for surface-modified substrates. You will design surface chemistries, build metrology-to-performance correlations, and deliver robust, scalable processes with clear standard operating procedures (SOPs).

This is a full-time onsite position at our Fremont, CA location.

## How You’ll Contribute

- Develop and scale surface functionalization processes; link chemistry and process settings to assay and product performance
- Design and optimize surface chemistries, including organosilanes, thiols/SAMs, linkers, passivation and blocking strategies, and biomolecule immobilization
- Run Design of Experiments (DOE) driven optimization and define robust operating windows and control plans
- Build Quality Control (QC) workflows, including metrology panels, acceptance criteria, and correlation models between metrology and functional performance
- Own troubleshooting and failure analysis; drive corrective actions via process controls and SOP updates
- Drive innovation by prototyping next-gen coatings and chemistries, assessing feasibility and risk, and recommending paths forward
- Partner cross-functionally with chemistry, biology and engineering teams and mentor technicians and junior staff
- Other job duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

- Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, physics, or related field
- BS with 8+ years, MS with 5+ years or PhD with 3+ years of related industry experience. PhD is preferred
- Hands on experience supporting a commercial product where surface chemistry is a key component
- Strong surface chemistry and surface characterization skills with ability to correlate measurements to function
- Hands-on metrology experience, including AFM, Ellipsometry, XPS, FTIR, SEM, fluorescence microscopy; additional techniques are a plus
- Proven SOP authoring and release and documentation discipline in a product development environment
- Demonstrated project leadership in framing, planning/DOE, execution, analysis, and excellent communication skills
- Experience with vapor-phase and CVD-style deposition of organosilanes, thiols, or related surface chemistries, biomaterials coatings and/or bioconjugation chemistry
- Familiarity with microfabrication context such as PVD/CVD/PECVD/ALD, lithography, etch, wet bench/cleaning
- Data and image analysis (Python, FIJI, JMP, Matlab/Octave, R)
- Experience using Statistical Process Control (SPC) to monitor process stability and variation

At Ultima Genomics, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. This role pays between $120,000 and $140,000, if performed in California, and your actual base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.  Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.  This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending & health savings account; paid holidays; paid time off; employee assistance program; and other company benefits.

#LI-Onsite Ultima Genomics is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws. See also Ultima Genomics’ [EEO Policy](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/esiidhpvizr7lu9r703sj/EEO_AAP-Policy-2024.pdf?rlkey=4kixgemg367sdlx3ap5ocjg6b&dl=0) and [Know Your Rights](https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf). If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting recruiting@ultimagen.com.

## About Ultima Genomics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Ultima Genomics develops high-throughput, cost-effective DNA sequencing platforms designed to dramatically reduce the cost of genomic information and enable omics at scale.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Venture-backed; raised over $700M in total funding)
- **Headquarters**: Fremont, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2016
- **Founders**: Not publicly available (CEO is Gilad Almogy)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / Genomics / DNA Sequencing
- **Target customers**: B2B – research institutions, clinical labs, pharmaceutical companies, oncology centers, and service providers
- **Mission**: “Continuously drive the scale of omics information to enable unprecedented advances in biology and improvements in human health.”

## Products & Services
- **UG200™ Series (UG200 / UG200 Ultra)**: High-throughput next-generation sequencing platforms using open wafers and built-in automation. The UG200 Ultra supports dual wafers for greater capacity. Capable of up to 60 automated runs per week with single-shift operation and >60,000 genomes per year.
- **Solaris 2.0 Workflows**: Library preparation kits and reagents designed for improved coverage of challenging genomic regions, compatible with leading third-party library prep providers.
- **Analysis & Bioinformatics**: Pre-configured secondary analysis pipelines optimized for Ultima data, running on a dedicated high-performance server.
- **Technology Access Program**: In-house sequencing service allowing customers to run projects on Ultima’s fleet of sequencers with full support from consultation to data analysis.
- **Certified Service Provider Network**: Global network of vetted service providers offering cost-effective, scalable sequencing on Ultima instruments.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding – over $700M (company’s own statement) / $604.2M (LinkedIn data, conflicting reports)
- **Notable Investors**: Top-tier global investors (names not publicly listed); prior funding rounds include a $600M venture round in May 2022 with 9 investors and a $3.6M grant.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of ~259 employees (as of 2025), with offices in the US (Fremont, Newark, Carlsbad), Israel, UK, South Korea, Netherlands, and Canada. Job postings increased 41.7% year-over-year. Expanding ecosystem through Technology Access Program and service provider network.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Novel open-wafer architecture** derived from semiconductor industry, enabling rapid isothermal amplification (replacing ePCR) and seamless lab automation integration.
- **Dramatically lower cost per read**, making population-scale genomics, comprehensive tumor profiling, and liquid biopsy economically feasible.
- **High throughput and flexibility** – up to 60 runs per week, with wafer outputs of 20B, 10B, and 5B reads.
- **Open ecosystem** – compatible with leading third-party library prep kits, giving customers freedom of choice.
- **Improved accuracy** – better variant calling and coverage uniformity in high-GC and complex genomic regions.

## Strategic Focus
- Continuously driving down the cost of sequencing to enable “omics at scale.”
- Expanding applications in oncology, epigenomics, proteomics, single-cell sequencing, germline, and transcriptomics.
- Growing the global service provider network and Technology Access Program to increase market reach.
- Building an open, collaborative ecosystem with partners in library prep, bioinformatics, and automation.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as mission-driven, collaborative, and focused on first-principles thinking. Core values include integrity, diversity, shared success, and challenging the status quo.
- **Work environment**: Mix of on-site (Fremont, Carlsbad, Tel Aviv) and remote roles (e.g., Sales Managers). Global team of experts from multiple industries (semiconductor, biotech, software, etc.).
- **Benefits**: Competitive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), 401k with company match, equity ownership, PTO, paid parental leave, sick leave, floating holidays, educational assistance, and career growth/mentorship.
- **Engineering culture**: Interdisciplinary teams of chemists, hardware/software engineers, molecular biologists, and data scientists working on groundbreaking technology. Emphasis on “where ideas have impact.”

## Sources
1. [ultimagenomics.com](https://www.ultimagenomics.com/)
2. [ultimagenomics.com/about-us](https://www.ultimagenomics.com/about-us/)
3. [ultimagenomics.com/careers](https://www.ultimagenomics.com/careers/)
4. [linkedin.com/company/ultimagenomics](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ultimagenomics)
5. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/ultimagenomics](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/ultimagenomics)

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