Proteins.1 | Espoo/Helsinki, Finland (Relocation supported)
Proteins.1 is building the PCR for Proteins, a novel diagnostic platform for detecting biomarkers at the single-molecule level. We are moving from deep-tech research to a commercial device. We are backed by Lifeline and Cloudberry.
Reality: the biology, the hardware, the IP and the founders are in place. Our independent labs are running, and the core chemistry works. This is our second biochemistry hire — the platform now must become reproducible, documented and transferable.
Role: foundational work demonstrated single-molecule amplification on first oncology targets at picomolar concentrations. We now need to carry the same chemistry to sub-pg/mL sensitivity on immune/oncology/neurology biomarkers, from a few microliters of biofluids, run after run. You would own the surfaces and the reagents that make that possible: translating our assay plans into robust workflows, establishing surface functionalization protocols, producing our standard control proteins, and directing the experimental output of the work already underway.
What you will do:
- Build the workflows: turn assay concepts into robust, transferable protocols — DOE-driven, written up as SOPs, and legible in the ELN so results survive the person who generated them
- Own the surfaces: establish and characterize functionalization chemistry on glass, silicon and plastic — silanization, PEGylation, SAMs, bio-orthogonal coupling — for site-specific antibody and biomolecule immobilization, with non-specific binding suppression treated as a primary design objective rather than an afterthought
- Make the reagents: produce our standard control proteins by cell-free synthesis and recombinant expression/purification, with the QC and stability data (SEC, SDS-PAGE, MS, degree of labelling) that make them trustworthy across lots
- Validate: develop and qualify high-sensitivity immunoassay and single-molecule counting workflows against strict LoB / LoD / LoQ specifications, with real command of blank behavior, matrix effects, precision and lot-to-lot variation
- Direct the work: design and review the experiments of biochemist team, guiding execution and troubleshooting rather than only running the bench yourself
- Build the lab: specify instruments, qualify vendors, and own results end to end at pre-seed stage.
Ideal candidate: a hands-on scientist with 6–12 years of experience post-MSc/PhD, including at least one industry or startup stint in industrial diagnostics or life-science tools. You are comfortable building a lab rather than inheriting one, and you characterize what you have made instead of inferring it from assay signal.
- Hands-on mastery of protein synthesis and recombinant expression/purification, including the QC and stability work that makes them trustworthy
- Proven experience in surface chemistry for site-specific biomolecule and antibody immobilization, characterized directly (grafting density, contact angle, XPS/ToF-SIMS, fluorescence density)
- Track record developing and validating high-sensitivity immunoassays or single-molecule counting workflows (digital ELISA, Simoa, bead-based) to strict specifications
- Ability to structure rigorous DOE, write SOPs and a legible ELN
- Deep expertise in binder kinetics (SPR/BLI), fluorophore conjugation and biofluid handling; preferred experience with liquid handler automation and data analysis for high-count readouts
How we work: we are serial entrepreneurs, having worked in drones, space, AI, biotech and medtech environments, from R&D to shipped HW/SW globally.
- Your own stack: you choose the chemistry, the tools and the standards inside your domain, and you are expected to defend them with data
- Team: you work alongside our existing biochemistry team. As we move towards a customer-facing product, you will hire the specialists who polish what you build
- Location: we believe hardware happens in the lab. We are based in Espoo/Helsinki, Finland. We support hybrid work, but we highly value high-bandwidth collaboration in the office. Relocation support is available.
Why this role?
- Tangible impact: you will not be doing your PhD/post-doc. You are building a machine that detects disease, and your protocols move physical liquids in the lab
- Equity: this is a high-ownership role with significant equity upside
- Intellectual honesty: we value correctness and reproducibility over hype. We expect you to challenge the founders and the scientists if the physics does not support the biology
- Build in Europe: we build in an environment that values rationality and well-being. Experience the stability of the Nordic model with universal healthcare, exceptional safety, and a democracy that truly functions.
You will work with Prateek, who previously built a techbio company deploying animal replacement high-throughput chips to top biotech and pharmaceutical companies, going from idea to patents to a complete product line, and with our founding biochemistry and hardware teams.
Apply with a brief description of a surface or chemistry you built that survived transfer to somebody else’s hands — and how you proved it.
Do not apply if you are looking for a "researcher" role. This is a developer/director role.
Do apply if you have taken an assay from a working bench result to a documented, reproducible workflow that other people can run — and want to do it again for a product that matters.