Biochemical Engineer/Molecular Assay Development Scientist (Part-Time)

About PhotonicDx

PhotonicDx is developing a next-generation molecular diagnostics platform based on proprietary photonic crystal enhanced fluorescence (PCEF) and photonic resonator absorption microscopy (PRAM) technologies developed through more than 15 years of research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with over $23 million in NIH and NSF support.

These technologies enable ultrasensitive optical detection and digital molecular analysis for rapid, high-performance biomarker testing. Our platform integrates advanced nanophotonics, fluorescence enhancement, optical biosensing, and molecular assay engineering to enable direct detection of proteins, nucleic acids, microRNA, and other low-abundance biomarkers with significantly simplified workflows relative to conventional PCR, sequencing, and immunoassay systems.

PhotonicDx is building a scalable molecular diagnostics platform for applications across oncology, neurology, inflammation, infectious disease, RNA therapeutics, and precision medicine. Initial assay development efforts include protein biomarkers, circulating RNA, microRNA, cytokine analysis, and multiplex biomarker detection workflows designed for rapid clinical translation and eventual point-of-care deployment.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated, technically rigorous, and highly detail-oriented Biochemical Engineer/Molecular Assay Development Scientist to join our early-stage laboratory team in Champaign, IL. This individual will play a key role in the development, optimization, and experimental validation of first-generation assays and workflows on the PhotonicDx platform.

This is a highly hands-on laboratory role ideally suited for a graduate student, research scientist, or postdoctoral researcher with strong experimental skills and interest in translational diagnostics, molecular detection systems, biosensing, nanophotonics-enabled diagnostics, and assay development.

You will work closely with company leadership, scientists, engineers, and external collaborators to develop and optimize biochemical workflows for ultrasensitive biomarker detection using advanced photonic sensing platforms including PCEF and PRAM-based detection architectures.

The role will evolve rapidly alongside the company and will involve a combination of assay development, experimental execution, data analysis, laboratory operations, and early product development support. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in a fast-moving startup environment where flexibility, intellectual curiosity, and initiative are highly valued.

This role requires a combination of skills in molecular biology, biochemical engineering, analytical chemistry, optical biosensing, and diagnostic assay development. The ideal candidate is proficient with experimental laboratory techniques, quantitative analysis methods, fluorescence-based workflows, and structured scientific documentation practices. This role involves experimental assay optimization, sample preparation workflows, fluorescence-based detection methods, reagent preparation, surface functionalization, protocol development, and generation of reproducible analytical data. It may also involve coordination with external CROs, reagent suppliers, academic collaborators, and manufacturing partners.

This role involves experimental assay optimization, sample preparation workflows, optical biosensor-based detection methods, reagent preparation, surface functionalization, protocol development, and generation of reproducible analytical data. It may also involve coordination with external CROs, reagent suppliers, academic collaborators, and manufacturing partners.

A successful candidate should understand that success in an early-stage diagnostics company requires not only technical capability, but also strong communication skills, adaptability, scientific rigor, and a collaborative mindset.

• Part-Time (20-30 hours a week)
• Champaign, IL
• $35/hour
• Flexible part-time scheduling
• Opportunity to contribute directly to the development of a novel molecular diagnostics platform at an early stage
• High exposure to company leadership, assay strategy, platform development, and commercialization activities

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related technical field
• Current graduate student, research assistant, or postdoctoral researcher strongly preferred
• 1–5 years of relevant laboratory research experience in academic, clinical, or biotechnology settings
• Hands-on experience with biochemical assays, molecular biology workflows, fluorescence-based detection systems, biosensor technologies, or biomarker analysis techniques
• Experience with ELISA/immunoassays, PCR/qPCR, biosensor systems, microfluidics, fluorescence microscopy, biomarker assay development, RNA/microRNA workflows, or signal amplification techniques strongly preferred
• Strong experimental troubleshooting and analytical thinking skills
• Experience analyzing experimental datasets using Excel, GraphPad Prism, MATLAB, Python, R, or similar analytical tools preferred
• Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, experimental documentation, and structured protocols
• Familiarity with laboratory safety procedures, quality systems, and scientific best practices
• Comfortable operating in a startup or rapidly evolving R&D environment

Preferred

• Background in biosensors, molecular diagnostics, nanotechnology, nanophotonics, or photonics-enabled detection systems
• Familiarity with optical biosensing, fluorescence enhancement systems, resonance-based sensing technologies, or photonic crystal detection methods
• Exposure to nanomaterials, surface chemistry, plasmonics, photonic crystals, or related bioanalytical detection methods
• Experience working with clinical samples, biomarker validation studies, or translational research workflows
• Familiarity with microRNA assays, cytokine assays, or liquid biopsy technologies
• Experience with assay sensitivity optimization, signal amplification methods, or low-abundance biomarker detection
• Exposure to regulated laboratory environments, CLIA workflows, or FDA-regulated diagnostics development
• Prior experience in an academic startup, biotech startup, or translational research laboratory

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and optimize biochemical and molecular assay workflows for protein and nucleic acid biomarker detection
• Perform laboratory experiments involving fluorescence-based assays, surface chemistry, sample preparation, probe conjugation, and biomolecular binding workflows
• Support development and characterization of photonic crystal enhanced fluorescence (PCEF) and PRAM-based detection systems and cartridge-based assay architectures
• Support experimental integration of assay chemistry with photonic sensing and optical detection platforms
• Participate in development and characterization of high-sensitivity fluorescence and resonance-based molecular detection workflows
• Analyze experimental data, troubleshoot assay performance issues, and document results in a rigorous and reproducible manner
• Prepare reagents, buffers, controls, standards, and biological samples in accordance with laboratory protocols and quality procedures
• Assist in development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), assay protocols, and technical documentation
• Conduct literature reviews and evaluate emerging biomarker assays, detection chemistries, and molecular diagnostic methodologies
• Collaborate with internal technical leadership and external research partners on assay validation and experimental studies
• Support laboratory organization, inventory management, equipment calibration, and experimental workflow coordination
• Contribute to the transition of early-stage assays toward scalable and clinically translatable workflows

Please submit your resume and a brief description of relevant laboratory or research experience to: Tim Gustafson, CEO at Tim@PhotonicDx.com