Surface Engineering

Company Description

NanoFynd is an Australian deep-technology company based at the Monash Innovation Labs in Clayton, VIC, pioneering rapid confirmatory testing through advanced nanostructured semiconductor platforms. Our proprietary platform enables lab-grade detection at near point of collection, transforming how industries from law enforcement and healthcare to agriculture and environmental testing, detect and confirm substances in real time.

At NanoFynd, we are redefining accuracy, accessibility, and trust in diagnostics by bringing laboratory precision to the field. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to simplify complex diagnostics and accelerate critical decisions through innovation, science, and design excellence.

Position Summary

The Surface Engineering & Analytics Specialist will contribute to the optimisation, validation,

and analytical development of NanoFynd's nanostructured semiconductor platforms. This role

plays a key part in advancing the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of NanoFynd's chip

technology, which underpins its confirmatory testing applications in pharmaceuticals,

biological samples, and environmental matrices.

Working closely with R&D Scientist, the role combines materials characterisation, analytical

testing, and process refinement to enhance platform performance and ensure alignment with

NanoFynd's product and accreditation roadmap. The position offers the opportunity to work

within a high-growth, translation environment bridging research and product

commercialisation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Development

• Assist in the optimisation of NanoFynd's nanostructured chip platforms for enhanced detection sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility.
• Cleanroom processing of nanostructured chips.
• Evaluate and document how different material surfaces and coating variations influence analytical outcomes.
• Conduct hands-on characterisation of nanostructured surfaces and analyte interactions using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, UV-Vis, Raman).
• Support MALDI-MS analytical validation to assess chip performance and
• correlation with target compound spectra.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on chip design refinements, process parameters, and experimental data interpretation.

2. Analytical Development & Quality

• Develop and implement workflows that improve analytical precision and data reproducibility.
• Support the establishment of QA and QC processes relevant to analytical and fabrication activities.
• Assist in generating technical documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), and process validation reports.
• Ensure traceability and compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 17025, and AS/NZS 4760 frameworks.

3. Operational & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the R&D Scientist and Quality Team to integrate analytical findings into manufacturing and testing processes.
• Participate in equipment calibration, validation, and qualification activities.
• Ensure the systematic documentation of experiments, trials, and validations related to product development and quality testing.
• Maintain accurate, controlled, and accessible records within Lab Archives or equivalent systems.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

E
ducation:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines.

Experience:

• Previous experience in biotechnology or related fields will be highly regarded.
• Hands-on laboratory experience is essential.

Technical Skills:

• Excellent laboratory skills are required, particularly pertaining to maintaining a high level of cleanliness and rigour.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
• Strong communication and documentation abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with mass spectrometry and advanced analytical technologies.
• Experience with ISO-accredited environments (ISO 9001, ISO 17025, AS/NZS 4760).
• Experience in nanotechnology or advanced material sciences.
• Experience working within startup environments and familiarity with dynamic operational contexts.

Work Environment:

• Primarily laboratory and office environment within the Monash Innovation Labs in Clayton.
• Occasional requirement for inter-site travel, audits, or training.
• Adherence to cleanroom and laboratory safety protocols is mandatory.

This role is instrumental to NanoFynd's mission to simplify complex diagnostics and accelerate confirmatory. The Surface Engineering & Analytics Specialist will be a key contributor to bridging materials performance with analytical precision, driving the next generation of NanoFynd's confirmatory testing platforms.