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 Applied AI / Computational Biophysics Engineer, you’ll play a critical role at the interface of computation and experiment. You’ll design algorithms to predict and optimize RNA-protein interactions and integrate them with experimental microfluidic feedback loops. From probabilistic sequence modeling to structure-function prediction, you will bridge dry lab and wet lab to power biocomputational RNA evolution. You’ll also manage compute infrastructure, collaborate with researchers across disciplines, and help shape the company’s computational core.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement algorithms to predict RNA structures, RNA-protein interactions, and thermodynamic properties
• Apply and adapt statistical generative models for biological sequences
• Integrate experimental readouts from microfluidic RNA screening into closed-loop optimization systems
• Work closely with lab scientists to co-design experiments and validate predictions
• Interface with external compute providers and manage high-performance computing workflows
• Stay up to date on cutting-edge tools

About you

• You’re comfortable with uncertainty, prototyping new ideas, and refining them iteratively
• You love crossing the boundaries between computation/biology/physics & hardware/software
• You’re a fast implementer and know how to balance theory with practicality
• You enjoy being close to the experiment and seeing how your work drives discovery

Required qualifications

• MSc, PhD, or strong industry experience in Computational Biophysics, Applied Mathematics/Physics/Physical Chemistry, or Machine Learning
• Experience with throwing biology, physics and computational approaches to the mix
• Proficiency in Python and familiarity with various bio-numerical libraries
• Prototyping fast, not caring about elegance
• Understanding of sequence-structure-function relationships in biomolecules
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across scientific disciplines
• Fluent in English (French is a plus)

Nice to have

• Prior work in closed-loop experimental-computational systems
• Familiarity with RNA folding tools
• Knowledge of language models for sequences or large biomolecular prediction models
• Experience working in a startup, innovation-driven R&D, or high-velocity academic environment

What we offer

• A fast-moving, ambitious team with strong mentorship, intellectual ownership, and global mission
• A chance to own and shape the computational layer of programmable biology
• Competitive salary package (based on seniority)
• Health/retirement/benefits coverage
• Equity depending on contract type and level of seniority
• Location: Paris (hybrid/remote possible)

Questions? contact@a51tx.com

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