Conditions of employment:
Salary range: 130 000 $US - 155 000 $US per year, depending on experience.
Why us
If you believe you are a strong fit for this position, please apply today!
To Apply: Please email your CV to E-Mail schreiben and include the position for which you are applying in the subject line.
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.
Key Responsibilities:
Therapeutic Optimization
Delivery Technologies and Platform Innovation
Candidate Screening and Nomination
Cross-Functional Integration and Leadership
Education & Experience:
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.
HAYA Therapeutics is a precision RNA-based therapeutics company that discovers and develops innovative genomic medicines for the treatment of fibrosis and other serious health conditions associated with aging. The company’s discovery engine focuses on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) within the “dark matter” of the human genome -- key tissue and cell-specific drivers of multiple disease processes including fibrosis -- to identify novel targets and drug candidates with the potential for greater efficacy and safety than existing treatments.
Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland with laboratory facilities in San Diego, USA, HAYA is a rapidly growing company led by a world-class team and supported by a strong investor consortium.