Scientist / Senior Scientist – Cell Engineering & Molecular Biology (Stem Cell Immortalization)

Every day, the human body produces more than 10¹¹ platelets—vital for hemostasis and wound healing—yet clinical supply is constrained by short shelf-life and donor dependence. HemostOD SA is rewriting transfusion medicine.

We are a Lausanne-based biotechnology startup developing an
in vitro
platform to manufacture functional, therapeutic-grade platelets from genetically engineered megakaryocytes. Our goal: deliver a reliable, safe, and scalable alternative to donor-derived platelets and unlock new therapies in hemostasis, immunology, and drug delivery.

This is a unique opportunity to join a fast-moving, scientifically ambitious team as we scale production toward preclinical and future clinical studies. You'll be on the front lines—designing and executing cell-engineering strategies that push the limits of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

Your Role

You will be a core member of our R&D team driving cell-engineering initiatives across hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and megakaryocyte lineages. Scientist/Senior Scientist will reflect experience and leadership scope.

You will:

• Design, execute, and troubleshoot strategies to
  immortalize and/or extend the proliferative capacity of human stem/progenitor cells
  (with a focus on
  CD34⁺ HSPCs
  ) while preserving megakaryocytic competence and genomic stability.
• Establish monoclonal cell lines
  from engineered HSPCs/megakaryocyte progenitors using single-cell cloning (FACS/limiting dilution), and perform
  clonal characterization
  (identity, stability, productivity, phenotype) with documented
  proof of clonality
  .
• Engineer and optimize
  lentiviral
  (and related) gene-delivery systems: vector design/cloning, transduction of primary cells, MOI/VCN control, and safety testing.
• Apply
  genome engineering in progenitor cells
  to enhance differentiation, function, and scalability.
• Develop and run functional assays: flow cytometry immunophenotyping, imaging/microscopy, and molecular readouts (qPCR, ddPCR, Western blot).
• Conduct integration-site analysis, vector copy number quantification, karyotype/aneuploidy assessment, and off-target risk evaluation; contribute to release/QC specifications.
• Apply
  design of experiments (DoE)
  and advanced statistical analysis to accelerate process optimization, reproducibility, and scalability.
• Translate research findings into
  GMP-compatible protocols and documentation
  in close collaboration with process development and QA teams.

Your Profile

We're seeking an exceptionally motivated scientist who thrives in a startup environment and enjoys solving hard problems with creativity, rigor, and speed.

Required

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in stem cell biology, molecular biology or related field.
• Genome engineering in primary stem cells
  and relevant analytics.
• Familiarity with
  integration-site mapping
  , vector copy number control,
  genomic stability
  workflows, and
  comparability across clones
  .
• Proven experience with monoclonal cell line development
  in mammalian systems (e.g., single-cell cloning by FACS/limiting dilution, clonality documentation, and clonal stability testing).
• Proven experience with
  lentiviral vectors
  in primary cells (design, production/qualification, transduction, biosafety at BSL-2).
• Demonstrated work on
  stem
  cell immortalization/extended proliferation
  while preserving lineage potential and safety.
• Fluency with advanced
  flow cytometry
  (panel design, compensation/spectral analysis), microscopy, and cell-based assay development.
• Strong record of independent experimental design, troubleshooting, data interpretation, and clear scientific communication.

Preferred

• Hands-on expertise with human CD34⁺ HSPCs
  : isolation, expansion, engineering, and differentiation.
• Experience with
  clone banking
  , identity/purity testing (STR, mycoplasma), and
  FDA/EMA-aligned clonality expectations
  in a translational context.

Attributes

• Resourceful, organized, and detail-oriented; able to prioritize under tight timelines.
• Team-oriented but self-reliant; eager to "do what it takes" to meet project goals, including occasional weekend/holiday rotations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in
  English
  .

Why HemostOD?

• Join a mission-driven company transforming the standard of care for millions of patients.
• Work with a world-class team of scientists and advisors in a collaborative, innovative environment.
• Contribute to therapeutic innovation
  and
  scientific discovery.

To Apply:
Send your
CV
and a
cover letter
outlining your motivation and relevant experience.

HemostOD SA is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic.