Helaina is a VC-backed biotech startup creating a new category of functional food products.

Our vision is to bring the functional properties of human proteins to food. Helaina will be the first company to put human milk proteins into food, defining a new category of consumer nutrition products focused on supporting immunity. We see a range of opportunities to use our breast milk proteins to enhance other types of functional foods for all segments of the population.

Helaina is backed by top VCs in the industry including Spark Capital, Siam Capital, Primary Venture Partners, and Plum Alley. We are a team of change-makers looking for our next team member who is intensely passionate about advancing synthetic biology for food and beverage products and redefining the future of nutrition.

About the Team:

Helaina is a team brought together by the belief that health and developmental outcomes of all infants can be improved through nutritional options closest to human milk. Our team is revolutionizing the infant nutrition space by developing a food product meant to uniquely support babies in their earliest stages. Helaina’s Immunology team is responsible for analyzing the immunological safety and efficacy profiles of our novel, innovative food ingredients.

About the Job:

In this role, you will work to understand the biological mechanisms of infant formula ingredients. The successful candidate will be a hands-on, motivated self-starter with a strong sense of initiative. You will be responsible for contributing directly to Helaina’s company milestones by designing, performing, and troubleshooting experiments for the team’s objective of understanding the properties of infant nutrition ingredients.

What You’ll Do:

• Cellular, and molecular assays including cell line (e.g. Caco-2, THP-1), primary cell culture, TEER measurement, fluorescent microscopy, ELISA, Western blot.
• Quantitative assessment of pro-inflammatory, regulatory, and anti-inflammatory levels of cytokines through in-vitro and ex-vivo cell assays.
• Fluorescent imaging of tight junctions and gut barrier integrity
• Work with Luminex bead based multiplex cytokine level evaluation assays and data analysis.
• Data analytics using software such as PRISM, JMP, and Luminex.
• Handling of ex-vivo samples in a BSL2 aseptic environment.
• Develop/perform simulated digestion modeling assays
• Develop/perform bioavailability modeling assays
• Generate detailed SOPs for in-vitro/ex-vivo assays.
• Troubleshoot and optimize equipment when necessary.
• Record and manage data in an electronic lab notebook.
• Prepare technical reports, protocols, and scientific presentations.

About You:

• PhD in Cellular/Molecular Biology or master’s degree with 5+ years of industry experience in Cellular/Molecular Biology or related discipline.
• Background knowledge of digestion and gut barrier integrity modeling.
• Skilled in mammalian cell culture and experience with in-vitro/ex-vivo functional assays.
• Strong background in epithelial cell biology.
• Experience with ADME studies and predictive models of ingredient absorption and bioavailability preferred.
• Energetic, creative, and personally motivated by the future of food and/or biological products.
• Effective communicator, both within a collaborative scientific team and in communicating science to non-technical audiences.
• Start-up or industry experience is a plus!

Compensation is market-competitive with a yearly cash base of $90k - $115k plus equity.

Benefits:

Helaina was founded on the belief that families should have freedom of choice. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace that does just that, supporting our team's health, wellbeing and professional development at every stage and milestone. We are proud to offer comprehensive health care, generous parental leave and childcare reimbursement, equity packages and more. A few highlights include:

• Full medical, vision and dental coverage
• Short and long term disability insurance coverage
• 401k match (up to 3%)
• Unlimited vacation days, including an all-company holiday between Christmas and New Year
• Paid Parental Leave for both parents + flexible return to work program
• Childcare reimbursement program
• Commuter Benefits
• Leadership Development coaching through BetterUp

Visit us at https://www.myhelaina.com/news to learn more about Helaina.

Helaina is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Helaina we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the strongest candidate for this or other roles. For more information, please contact [email protected].