Meet A51 and the team shaping programmable biology

A51 is a biotech company engineering RNA to reprogram cellular states. We are shifting drug discovery toward drug engineering, where RNA becomes the programmable layer of biology. By combining microfluidic biocomputation with cutting-edge computational design, we program RNA molecules tailored to tackle the most complex diseases. Backed by a top-tier Silicon Valley VC and based at the most iconic French incubator Agoranov in the heart of Paris, we operate at the frontier of innovation.

Our mission is to make biology engineerable by rapidly designing functional RNAs that modulate cell behavior. Beyond treating disease, this opens the door to regenerative medicine and real-time cellular reprogramming. We’re a global, interdisciplinary team spanning wet lab, computation, and engineering, working on some of the hardest problems in biotech. If you want to help turn science fiction into reality, A51 is the place to do it.

What you’ll do

As our first RNA Biology Engineer, you’ll play a foundational role in building the experimental core of the company. You’ll take ownership of molecular and cellular biology workflows and work closely with the co-founders to bring our RNA designs into the lab and test their impact on human cells. This is a builder’s role offering the opportunity to co-design frontier biology and build A51 together.

Responsibilities

• Execute molecular biology workflows (RNA/DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.)
• Collaborate with computational and microfluidic scientists to guide experiment design and interpretation
• Design, run, and optimize protocols to test how RNA constructs affect advanced cell behaviors
• Conduct microbiology work, particular cloning, mammalian cell culture, primary cell handling and transfection
• Maintain clean and accurate experimental records; report findings in team meetings
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment; manage reagents and consumables
• Contribute to a high-performance, scientifically rigorous lab culture

About you

• You’re comfortable in fast-moving environments where nothing is fully defined and everything constantly changes
• You enjoy working with interdisciplinary teams and learning new tools
• You thrive at the bench, take initiative, and enjoy troubleshooting biological problems
• You think critically, communicate clearly, and value reproducibility

Required qualifications

• BSc or MSc in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or related fields
• Autonomy, rigor, and attention to detail
• Hands-on experience in sterile cell culture (plus for L2 biosafety)
• Fluency in molecular biology protocols; basic understanding of RNA biology is a plus
• Fluent in French or English (ideally both)

Nice to have

• Prior experience in a biotech, startup, or high-velocity research team
• Experience working with primary human cells or phenotypic assays

What we offer

• A fast-moving, ambitious team with strong mentorship, intellectual ownership, and global mission
• Building a company from scratch
• Competitive salary package (based on seniority)
• Health/retirement/benefits coverage
• Equity depending on contract type and level of seniority

Questions? contact@a51tx.com

Application: fill out the form below + send CV to contact@a51tx.com