Research Associate I

Haya Therapeutics SA; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

HAYA Therapeutics in San Diego, CA is seeking a hands-on scientist to execute preclinical cellular assays, tissue histology, nucleic acid extractions, and spatial transcriptomics to advance our RNA-guided therapeutics pipeline. You will work with primary cells, perform ASO screening, and generate high-quality data for project teams and leadership.

Responsibilities include establishing disease models, performing RNA/DNA/protein extractions, tissue processing with FFPE, and accurate ELN

Qualifications

• Proficiency in primary cell isolation, propagation, and differentiation.
• Experience with nucleic acid extraction (RNA/DNA), PCR, and transfection screenings.
• Hands-on tissue sectioning (FFPE/cryosectioning) and immunofluorescence or fluorescence imaging.
• Experience handling animal tissue samples with chain-of-custody.
• Ability to rapidly adopt new protocols and maintain digital ELNs.

Responsibilities

• Execute primary cell isolation, culture, and model establishment.
• Perform ASO screening and transfection to assess knock-down potency.
• Extract RNA, DNA, and proteins for molecular profiling.
• Process tissues: FFPE embedding, sectioning, staining.
• Conduct spatial transcriptomics and multi-omics workflows.
• Capture and analyze fluorescence images and data for reporting.

Skills

Cell culture

ASO screening

Molecular biology

Histology & imaging

Preclinical sample handling

Documentation rigor

Learning agility

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Life Sciences

Tools

ELN systems

PCR & transfection equipment

FFPE/cryosectioning tools

Job description

At HAYA Therapeutics, we are pioneering a new class of programmable RNA-guided therapeutics that target the regulatory genome to reprogram disease-driving cell states. By decoding the causal biology of pathological cell states and the long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that regulate them, HAYA translates these insights into tractable therapeutic candidates designed to address disease at its source and restore cellular health. HAYA is advancing a broad pipeline of RNA-guided medicines for chronic, age-related diseases.

Recognized globally for our scientific innovation, HAYA has been named a 2025 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum (WEF), selected for BioSpace's NextGen Bio Class of 2026, recognized as a 2026 Disruptive Pioneer by IDEA Pharma, and celebrated as one of the Top Innovative Companies in Switzerland for 2025. As a fast-growing biotech, we offer an entrepreneurial, science-driven environment where you’ll have a direct impact on shaping our pipeline and advancing RNA medicine

1. Purpose:

Execute preclinical cellular assays, tissue histology, nucleic acid extractions, and spatial transcriptomics protocols to generate high-quality experimental data supporting HAYA's functional genomics and lncRNA target validation pipelines.

2. Accountabilities

Primary Cell Culture & ASO Screening Execution

• Execute primary cell isolation, tissue culture, and cell line maintenance (including human and mouse fibroblasts, C2C12 cells, myoblasts, and satellite cells) to establish robust in vitro disease models.
• Perform compound treatments and antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) screening protocols (including GapmeRs and siRNA) across primary cell platforms to evaluate target knocking-down efficiency and therapeutic potency.
• Isolate and process RNA, DNA, and proteins from cellular and tissue specimens using standardized extraction techniques to prepare high-integrity samples for downstream molecular profiling.
• Tissue Histology & Spatial Transcriptomics
• Perform tissue processing, FFPE embedding, sectioning, and staining protocols (including immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence) to quantify fibrotic markers and evaluate tissue morphology.
• Execute spatial transcriptomics and multi-omics assay workflows in alignment with functional genomics protocols to characterize spatial gene expression in target tissues.
• Capture and analyze fluorescence microscopy images across immunostained and spatial transcriptomic tissue sections to extract qualitative and quantitative cellular insights.
• Preclinical Model Support & Data Governance
• Support in vivo preclinical study workflows by assisting with tissue dissections and sample collection from skeletal mouse and disease models to supply downstream experimental workstreams.
• Maintain detailed, real-time Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) records, SOPs, and experimental documentation to ensure absolute data traceability, reproducibility, and audit readiness.
• Synthesize, analyze, and present experimental dataset summaries to internal R&D project teams and scientific leadership to inform ongoing pipeline decision-making.

3. Required Knowledge and Experience

Essential Qualifications & Technical Capabilities (Must-Haves)

• Cell Culture & Primary Model Proficiency: Demonstrated capability in primary cell isolation, propagation, and differentiation, with specific expertise in mammalian cell lines or primary fibroblasts/myoblasts.
• Molecular Biology & ASO Screening Techniques: Practical experience performing nucleic acid extractions (RNA/DNA), PCR, and compound/ASO transfection screenings.
• Histology & Imaging Capabilities: Hands-on experience with tissue sectioning (FFPE/cryosectioning), histology staining, immunofluorescence (IF), or fluorescence microscopy.
• Preclinical Sample Handling: Comfortable handling animal tissue samples from vivarium studies and maintaining strict chain-of-custody documentation.
• Technical Agility & Documentation Rigor: Proven ability to rapidly adopt new laboratory protocols, operate digital ELNs, and maintain meticulous attention to experimental detail.
• Educational Foundation: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related life sciences discipline.

Desirable Experience & Specialized Expertise (Nice-to-Haves)

• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) & Multi-Omics: Familiarity with NGS library preparation (RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq) or spatial transcriptomics platforms.
• Experience with automated liquid handling systems or other laboratory automation platforms.
• RNA Biology & Fibrosis Research: Background understanding of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) biology, oligonucleotide therapeutics, or fibrotic disease mechanics.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Meticulous Precision & Rigor: Drives high quality and consistency in laboratory execution, maintaining absolute accuracy across extractions, assays, and notebooks.
• Adaptable Learning Mindset: Proactively seeks opportunities to master cutting-edge genomic techniques and workflow optimizations.
• Collaborative Team Orientation: Communicates transparently, supports peers across laboratory disciplines, and aligns daily tasks with broader company goals.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies & Search Firms:

HAYA Therapeutics operates a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) and manages all recruitment directly through our Human Resources team. We do not accept unsolicited resumes or speculative CVs from third-party agencies, search firms, or recruiters. Any unsolicited candidates or CVs submitted through non-approved channels, directly to HAYA employees, or without a fully executed recruitment agreement in place will be considered property of HAYA Therapeutics. HAYA Therapeutics will not pay any fee, liability, or finder's fee for candidates submitted under these circumstances.

HAYA Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued and empowered. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, ancestry, age, marital or familial status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and are committed to ensuring fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and career development. At HAYA, we believe that diversity of thought, experience, and background drives innovation and strengthens our mission to transform patient care through cutting-edge RNA-based therapeutics.

Salary Range: $70,000 to $90,000