Molecular Conjurer
Come dive into cellular Lego building at HelixNano, a rapidly growing clinical-stage mRNA startup!
HelixNano is backed by some of the world’s most visionary investors, including Y Combinator, Sam Altman, The Venture Collective, and Founders Fund. We engineer next-generation mRNA technologies, vaccines and therapies, and built the world’s most powerful mRNA platform to do so. We are tackling cancer head-on with unprecedentedly potent cancer vaccines targeting metastatic tumors, and have an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial for a COVID vaccine designed to safeguard those with weakened immune systems.
We push the boundaries of discovery with cutting-edge AI approaches to accelerate molecular breakthroughs, using advanced computational models to design, optimize, and refine our therapeutics.
This is a unique opportunity to join a startup just hitting escape velocity — and to have generational impact on human health, on how science is done, and on the future we’re building.
The Role
We’re looking for a Cell Biology Research Associate to join our META (Molecular Engineering for Therapeutic Advancement) Team. On this team, we approach science with a relentless, truth-seeking curiosity, fearlessly exploring new ideas guided by the scientific method. We run high-density, hypothesis-driven experiments that glean maximum insight from minimal data. We prioritize designing modular solutions (think: Legos) that empower the entire scientific community, all while drawing inspiration from the cell’s natural elegance (with a dash of witchy magic!) to push beyond evolution’s constraints.
You’ll be a crucial part of our team, contributing to the refinement and discovery of molecular tools that take our therapeutics to the next level. You’ll maintain and support our diverse portfolio of cell-based assays, perform high-throughput screens to answer big questions in cellular biology, and serve as an integral partner across multiple lines of R&D inquiry, collaborating with others beyond team boundaries.
mRNA lets small teams do things that would have previously required an entire company, so our key focus is empowering creative individuals to follow their curiosity. Scientists who joined us early in their careers have made discoveries with major impact on HelixNano’s future. Though this is an RA-level position, we’re deeply committed to your growth and will help you cultivate your personal superpowers through mentorship, meaningful projects, and a culture that values exploration, collaboration, and spellbinding levels of science sorcery.
All this to say: you’ll be a true partner and we’ll lean on you for advice and direction based on your expertise (both current and learned!).
Here are some overall responsibilities we expect you will handle in this role:
Perform standard molecular biology techniques to prepare DNA and mRNA for in vitro screens.
Carry out mRNA transfection in mammalian cell lines to test out novel mRNA-encoded technologies.
Conduct relevant assays to assess cellular performance, including reporter expression, cell viability, and immunoassays.
Manage robotic systems to automate experiments.
Assist with assay analysis and help draw novel conclusions from the data.
What we are looking for
No strict prerequisites — some of the best people we’ve worked with have come from nontraditional paths. Having said that, the strongest candidates will likely have ~1 year of molecular biology experience, including performing PCRs, running gels, and working with RNA. Added pluses: if you have experience in transfection, mammalian cell culture techniques, or immunoassays.
As important, we’re looking for someone who is:
Passionate about research and making a real-world impact — you love the thrill of discovery and are motivated to work on problems that will change the world.
Energized by new challenges — you’re unafraid to explore unknown territories, you’re excited to test new ideas, and you have the confidence to challenge the status quo and take on problems others think are impossible.
Creative — you’re inspired to conjure up creative solutions to difficult problems; you welcome wild ideas.
Precise and diligent — you have superb sterile technique and meticulous record-keeping practices.
Self-driven — you’re independently motivated and excellent at time management; you ask questions when needed, and you have the flexibility to change your approach if necessary.
If this sounds like you, we’re really excited to meet you. Reach out to jobs@helixnano.com and send us your resume (no need for a cover letter!).
Come join us!
HelixNano is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.
Open to TN visa + Optional Practical Training (OPT) sponsorship