Description

The Electrochemical Scientist will drive the development, validation, and translation of electrochemical biosensor assays from early feasibility through scalable, regulatory-ready prototypes.

The role encompasses assay optimisation, analytical validation, stability studies, matrix adaptation, and collaboration with manufacturing to ensure robustness and reproducibility in a medical device development environment.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

1. Assay Development, Optimisation & Validation

• Design and execute electrochemical experiments for development of biomarker assays (proteins, infectious disease targets, electrolytes, inflammatory markers).
• Optimise electrode functionalisation, surface chemistry, and assay workflows (gold and graphene electrodes).
• Lead matrix adaptation of assays (buffer → serum → plasma → whole blood), addressing interference, fouling, and variability.
• Translate proof-of-concept assays into robust, reproducible prototypes suitable for point-of-care deployment.
• Design and execute analytical validation studies (LOD, LOQ, precision, linearity, specificity, interference, reproducibility).
• Plan and conduct stability and robustness studies (reagent stability, electrode stability, environmental stress testing).
• Apply Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical analysis to drive assay optimisation and robustness.
• Evaluate materials, membranes, and reagents for performance, manufacturability, and scalability.
• Maintain detailed experimental documentation and present findings to internal stakeholders.

2. Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor and support junior scientists and laboratory staff (if Senior level).
• Contribute to project planning and cross-functional coordination.
• Work closely with product, regulatory, and clinical teams to support assay translation and validation.

3. Regulatory & Quality Alignment:

• Design and document experiments in alignment with IVD regulatory expectations (ISO 13485, FDA QSR, IVDR where applicable).
• Ensure traceability of materials, reagents, instruments, and data.
• Contribute to analytical validation reports and technical documentation.
• Support risk assessment activities (e.g., FMEA, assay failure mode analysis).
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners to support assay transfer, process robustness, and reproducibility.
• Contribute to development of scalable assay protocols suitable for pilot and early manufacturing builds.

Qualifications

• (Desired) Masters in Electrochemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a biology-related field.
• (Desired) Ph.D. in Electrochemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a biology-related field.

Experience

• 2+ years (Scientist) or 5+ years (Senior Scientist) of relevant assay development experience.
• Proven expertise in electrochemical biosensors.
• Hands-on experience with electrochemical techniques (EIS, DPV, SWV, CA).
• Experience in regulated or quality-controlled development environments preferred. 

Key Competencies

• Electrochemical techniques and instrumentation
• Surface functionalisation and biomolecule immobilisation
• Assay design, optimisation, and validation workflows
• Statistical analysis and DoE
• Technical documentation and regulatory awareness
• Problem-solving and experimental design
• Cross-functional collaboration in multidisciplinary teams
• Adaptability in a fast-paced startup R&D environment