--- title: 'Staff Sci, Assay Development (Reagents) at Sarmal Inc' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-sci-assay-development-reagents-sarmal-inc-san-diego-1t8tdt6e2rdn' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-08' --- # Staff Sci, Assay Development (Reagents) at Sarmal Inc - **Company:** Sarmal Inc - **Location:** San Diego, CA - **Compensation:** $125k–$160k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-08-11 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/sarmal-inc/543e3203-77ac-4268-8cfb-5ad91b4f2653 ## 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 Staff Scientist, Assay Development will contribute to the development of molecular diagnostic assays for FDA-regulated IVD products by partnering closely with the assay development team to optimize assay chemistry, reagent formulations, and analytical performance. This role will focus on reagent development, formulation optimization, lyophilization, stability and shelf-life studies, and analytical validation to ensure robust, reproducible, and manufacturable assay performance. The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience developing commercial IVD products and has hands-on experience supporting FDA-regulated product development, including analytical validation, stability studies, Design Controls, and FDA 510(k) submissions. ## Key Responsibilities - Collaborate with assay development scientists to optimize molecular diagnostic assays through reagent formulation, assay chemistry optimization, and analytical performance improvements. - Design, develop, and optimize reagent formulations, including enzymes, primers, probes, buffers, stabilizers, and other assay components to support robust assay performance. - Design and execute reagent characterization, stability, accelerated aging, shelf-life, and lyophilization studies to support commercial IVD product development. - Design and execute experiments to evaluate and improve assay analytical performance, including sensitivity, specificity, precision, robustness, reproducibility, and limit of detection. - Support analytical verification and validation activities and generate technical data to support FDA-regulated IVD product development and FDA 510(k) submissions. - Collaborate with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Engineering, and Manufacturing to support Design Controls, technology transfer, manufacturing readiness, and commercialization. - Analyze experimental data, troubleshoot reagent and assay performance issues, and communicate technical findings through reports and presentations. - Maintain accurate experimental documentation in accordance with quality system requirements. ## Qualifications - Expertise in reagent development and formulation for molecular diagnostic or IVD products. - Hands-on experience optimizing assay chemistry and improving analytical performance of molecular diagnostic assays. - Experience designing and executing reagent stability studies, accelerated aging, shelf-life determination, and lyophilized reagent development. - Experience supporting analytical verification and validation of FDA-regulated IVD products. - Working knowledge of FDA Design Controls, ISO 13485, CLSI guidelines, and FDA 510(k) requirements. - Strong experimental design, statistical analysis, troubleshooting, and scientific problem-solving skills. - Excellent technical writing, documentation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills. - Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced product development environment. Education & Experience - Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related scientific discipline with 5+ years of relevant industry experience, or M.S. with 8+ years of relevant industry experience. - Demonstrated 2+ years of experience developing FDA-regulated molecular diagnostic or IVD products. - Proven experience with reagent formulation, analytical performance optimization, stability studies, accelerated aging, shelf-life determination, and lyophilized reagent development. - Experience supporting analytical validation, FDA 510(k) submissions, and Design Controls for commercial IVD products. - Experience working within ISO 13485 and other regulated product development environments. - Experience with multiplex fluorescence-based assays, PCR/qPCR, or other molecular diagnostic technologies is highly preferred. - Experience supporting technology transfer and commercialization of molecular diagnostic products 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 - [Scientist/Sr. Scientist, Biochemistry – NGS Assay Development](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-sr-scientist-biochemistry-ngs-assay-development-sarmal-inc-san-diego-pys1d4fzxwcy) — 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