Position Summary

The Drug Discovery Sciences (DDS) Department is seeking an exceptional and visionary Senior or Principal Scientist to play a key leadership role in the discovery and optimization of nucleic acid-based therapeutics, with a focus on RNA modalities and their targeted delivery. Reporting directly to the Head of DDS, this role will be instrumental in translating cutting-edge science into transformative therapeutic candidates that bridge the gap from early discovery to preclinical proof-of-concept and IND-enabling readiness.

As a core scientific contributor and strategic driver within DDS, you will lead efforts to refine RNA chemistry, optimize delivery systems, and integrate early translational considerations to enhance the potency, safety, manufacturability, and clinical translatability of RNA therapeutic candidates. Your work will directly support DDS’s mission to serve as the translational engine of the R&D organization—positioned between Target Discovery and Development—and will contribute to building a sustainable and innovative pipeline of precision medicines.

You will leverage your deep expertise in RNA biology, drug delivery technologies, computational design, and mechanistic pharmacology to guide molecule and formulation optimization. This includes driving the application of AI/ML tools, high-throughput screening platforms, and mechanism-driven assay systems, including organoid and organ-on-chip models, to validate candidate function and safety. You will lead matrixed project teams, collaborate extensively across departments, and integrate scientific innovations emerging from Data Science, Functional Genomics, CMC, and other core disciplines.

In this highly interdisciplinary environment, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing strategies for nucleic acid therapeutic development, contribute to platform build-out efforts, and help establish best practices for candidate nomination and progression. The ideal candidate is a scientific leader and team player who thrives at the interface of innovation and application and is motivated to make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes through next-generation therapies. In addition to executing on the strategic vision of DDS and providing scientific leadership, this role requires a strong commitment to hands-on science, with approximately 30–40% of time (1.5–2 days per week) dedicated to designing and executing key experiments.

What’s in it for me?

As an early member of the newly established Drug Discovery Sciences department, you’ll have a rare opportunity to work with the leadership team to shape the strategy, culture, and scientific direction of a function critical to HAYA’s mission. You’ll be at the forefront of pioneering RNA-based therapeutics, translating breakthrough science into real-world impact for patients with common and chronic diseases.

You’ll work alongside a collaborative, deeply knowledgeable team that thrives on intellectual curiosity and scientific rigor. Every day will offer opportunities to learn, grow, and stretch your expertise—whether you're exploring novel delivery platforms, refining candidate selection strategies, or integrating the latest advances in AI, computational biology, and organoid models.

This role is designed for those who want to do career-defining work—where your ideas will be heard, your contributions will be valued, and your growth will be supported in an entrepreneurial environment that celebrates innovation and impact.

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Key Responsibilities:

Therapeutic Optimization

• Design and refine next-generation nucleic acid therapeutics optimized for potency, specificity, safety and stability.
• Lead high-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns to explore sequence-structure relationships and chemistry modifications.
• Assess off-target effects and immunogenicity to de-risk candidates pre-clinically.
• Develop and apply mechanism-based assay cascades in physiologically relevant systems (e.g., organoids, organ-on-a-chip)
  

Delivery Technologies and Platform Innovation

• Design and validate novel delivery platforms (e.g., lipid nanoparticles, conjugates, polymers) for targeted biodistribution, intracellular delivery, and endosomal escape.
• Integrate computational modeling with wet-lab validation for rational delivery system design
• Collaborate with CMC and formulation teams to ensure scalability, stability, and regulatory readiness of delivery technologies.
  

Candidate Screening and Nomination

• Develop and implement programs that de-risk in vivo studies
• Incorporate biomarker strategies and in vivo safety data into candidate nomination workflows.
• Use patient-derived models for functional validation and PD readouts
• Partner with the Functional Genomics team to assess gene regulation and cell-state reprogramming.
• Contribute to the standardization of data generation aligned with IND-enabling study requirements
  

Cross-Functional Integration and Leadership

• Interface with Data Science to implement and integrate AI/ML-powered pipelines, design, and prediction tools.
• Collaborate with Functional Genomics to validate target engagement, drug response, and mechanism of action
• Serve as a scientific thought leader across multidisciplinary project teams to accelerate candidate selection and optimization.
• Contribute to strategic planning and resource allocation within DDS and the broader R&D function.

Education & Experience:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in nucleic acid therapeutics, drug discovery, or translational research, preferably with several years in an industry setting.
• Proven track record of designing and advancing RNA-based therapeutics.
• Strong knowledge of delivery technologies including nanoparticles (LNPs, PNPs), conjugation strategies (small-molecules, peptides, antibodies, and other biomolecules).
• Experience with high-throughput assays, screening platforms, and biomarker discovery.
• Familiarity with computational approaches to sequence and structural optimization is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead scientific teams and collaborate across functions.

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.