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Principal Surface Scientist I

5 years
$120,000 – $223,000,
10 Nov. 20, 2025
Job Description
Job Type: Full Time Education: B.Sc./ M.Sc./ M.Pharm/ B.Pharm/ Life Sciences Skills: Causality Assessment, Clinical SAS Programming, Communication Skills, CPC Certified, GCP guidelines, ICD-10 CM Codes, CPT-Codes, HCPCS Codes, ICD-10 CM, CPT, HCPCS Coding, ICH guidelines, ICSR Case Processing, Interpersonal Skill, Labelling Assessment, MedDRA Coding, Medical Billing, Medical Coding, Medical Terminology, Narrative Writing, Research & Development, Technical Skill, Triage of ICSRs, WHO DD Coding

Principal Surface Scientist I
Location: Santa Clara, California, USA | Category: Research & Development | Job ID: 202511-128949

About Roche
At Roche, we foster a culture where individuality is valued and professional growth is encouraged. Our inclusive environment promotes open dialogue, personal expression, and meaningful collaboration, allowing employees to thrive while advancing healthcare solutions. Join Roche to contribute to innovations that prevent, stop, and cure diseases, ensuring access to healthcare globally today and for future generations.

The Role
Roche is simplifying and expanding access to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to enable routine clinical use. We are seeking a Principal Surface Scientist I to join our multidisciplinary team developing surface chemistries, coatings, and protocols for NGS-based applications and consumables. This position offers the opportunity to work with leading scientists and engineers to design and optimize high-performance surfaces for advanced diagnostic platforms.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in surface science, bioconjugation, and biomolecule-device interfaces, with hands-on experience in surface modification, characterization techniques, and assay development.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and optimize surface modifications, chemistries, and protocols for NGS consumables.

  • Engineer material surfaces at the molecular level to control surface energy and other properties for optimal device performance.

  • Design and execute assays and analytical methods to characterize surface composition, morphology, and chemical properties.

  • Analyze sequencing and surface characterization data to establish critical structure-property relationships.

  • Develop scaled-up surface functionalization processes and collaborate with Operations for process transfer.

  • Prepare technical reports, present findings, and provide strategic recommendations to internal teams.

  • Ensure quality and performance of surface chemistry reagents and implement inspection protocols.

Required Experience & Qualifications

  • PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field, with strong focus on surface science and material modification.

  • 5+ years of professional experience in postdoctoral or industrial research, including development of surface modifications for biomolecule analysis.

  • Proven expertise in bioconjugation strategies, surface energy modification, and device interface optimization.

  • Hands-on experience with early-stage instrumentation and devices.

  • Proficiency in data analysis using JMP, Python, or equivalent tools.

  • Strong communication, presentation, and independent problem-solving skills.

Preferred Experience

  • Background in NGS-based platform development or consumables.

  • Knowledge of surface functionalization for microfluidics, lab-on-chip devices, or complex analytical systems.

  • Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and systematically analyze challenges in complex, multidisciplinary environments.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Expected salary range (Santa Clara, CA): $120,000 – $223,000, based on experience, qualifications, and location.

  • Discretionary annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

  • Comprehensive benefits package as detailed by Roche.

Why Roche
Roche employs over 100,000 professionals worldwide, advancing science to ensure global access to healthcare. Our efforts impact over 26 million patients and include more than 30 billion diagnostic tests. Join a culture that encourages creativity, collaboration, and ambitious innovation to deliver life-changing healthcare solutions worldwide.

Apply Now
Be part of a global team driving innovation in surface science and NGS applications. Help shape the future of diagnostics and contribute to a healthier world.


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