Lab Technician
Helaina
New York, NY, USA
USD 50k-65k / year + Equity
Posted on Apr 9, 2026
About The Company
Helaina is a cutting-edge nutrition biotech company creating nutrients of the future. Helaina leverages a world-class team in food science, nutrition, and engineering to develop breakthrough food ingredients designed to improve health for everyone.
The company's vision is to build a nutrient platform that powers the future of consumer health by introducing bioactive proteins to the market for the very first time. Our journey was inspired by breast milk—a unique substance that is both food and medicine. Helaina’s Founder, Laura Katz, saw parents, cancer patients, and athletes seeking out these proteins for their proven ability to boost immunity, gut health, and brain development. Helaina was founded on the belief that we could replicate this profound function to create ingredients with real impact, moving beyond alternatives that only replicate taste.
Helaina's First Product Is Effera™, a "holy Grail" Molecule That Is An Identical Replica Of Human Lactoferrin, One Of Breast Milk’s Most Powerful Proteins. As a Dynamic Bioactive Protein (unlike Static Supplements), Effera™ Can Adapt To The Body’s Specific Needs, Offering Multiple Benefits:
We're looking for a hands-on, detail-oriented Fermentation Lab Technician to join our Bioprocess & Engineering team. You'll be a key part of our upstream operations — keeping fermentations running, bioreactors clean and ready, and data accurate. If you're early in your lab career and looking for a place to build real skills in a fast-moving biotech environment, this is it.
This is a full-time, on-site role based at Helaina's NYC office, Monday through Friday with occasional weekend availability required for fermentation monitoring.
What You’ll Do:
Helaina was founded on the belief that families should have freedom of choice. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace that supports our team's health, wellbeing, and professional development at every stage. A few highlights:
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 — if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the strongest candidate for this or other roles. For more information, contact careers@myhelaina.com.
All candidates must be available to work 5 days a week at Helaina's office in NYC.
Compensation is market-competitive with a yearly cash base of $50k – $65k plus equity.
We use a disciplined approach to compensation — we believe this is the only way to create a consistent, strategic, and equitable structure that unlocks healthy growth for our organization. We decide any hire's offer based on three factors: (1) expected performance in the role, based on performance in the interview process and proximity of experience; (2) seniority, meaning amount of relevant experience; and (3) location, reflecting different costs of living.
Helaina is a cutting-edge nutrition biotech company creating nutrients of the future. Helaina leverages a world-class team in food science, nutrition, and engineering to develop breakthrough food ingredients designed to improve health for everyone.
The company's vision is to build a nutrient platform that powers the future of consumer health by introducing bioactive proteins to the market for the very first time. Our journey was inspired by breast milk—a unique substance that is both food and medicine. Helaina’s Founder, Laura Katz, saw parents, cancer patients, and athletes seeking out these proteins for their proven ability to boost immunity, gut health, and brain development. Helaina was founded on the belief that we could replicate this profound function to create ingredients with real impact, moving beyond alternatives that only replicate taste.
Helaina's First Product Is Effera™, a "holy Grail" Molecule That Is An Identical Replica Of Human Lactoferrin, One Of Breast Milk’s Most Powerful Proteins. As a Dynamic Bioactive Protein (unlike Static Supplements), Effera™ Can Adapt To The Body’s Specific Needs, Offering Multiple Benefits:
- supports iron absorption and women's health
- boosts immunity by fighting infections
- crosses the blood-brain barrier for cognitive benefits
- reduces inflammation for sports recovery and longevity
We're looking for a hands-on, detail-oriented Fermentation Lab Technician to join our Bioprocess & Engineering team. You'll be a key part of our upstream operations — keeping fermentations running, bioreactors clean and ready, and data accurate. If you're early in your lab career and looking for a place to build real skills in a fast-moving biotech environment, this is it.
This is a full-time, on-site role based at Helaina's NYC office, Monday through Friday with occasional weekend availability required for fermentation monitoring.
What You’ll Do:
- Perform routine sampling of fermenters and small-scale fermentations to monitor fermentation processes, including weekend work to ensure continuity of operations
- Prepare and sterilize media required for fermentation runs
- Set up, operate, and monitor bioreactors and other small-scale cultivations according to established SOPs
- Clean, wash, and sterilize bioreactors and lab equipment
- Accurately record and report data from fermentation runs and sample analysis
- Assist in troubleshooting and optimizing fermentation processes as directed
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe lab environment
- Associate's degree or higher in biotechnology, chemistry, microbiology, or a related life sciences field
- Prior lab experience is a plus — academic, internship, or industry — but we'll consider candidates who are the right fit without it
- Familiarity with aseptic technique, basic bioreactor operation, and standard lab equipment is preferred
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to following procedures accurately
- Comfortable working independently as well as collaboratively within a small, fast-moving team
- Must obtain an FDNY C-14 Fire Safety Certificate (can be completed after hire)
- Able to commit to occasional weekend availability for fermentation monitoring
Helaina was founded on the belief that families should have freedom of choice. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace that supports our team's health, wellbeing, and professional development at every stage. A few highlights:
- Full medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Short and long-term disability insurance
- 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
- Commuter Benefits
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 — if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the strongest candidate for this or other roles. For more information, contact careers@myhelaina.com.
All candidates must be available to work 5 days a week at Helaina's office in NYC.
Compensation is market-competitive with a yearly cash base of $50k – $65k plus equity.
We use a disciplined approach to compensation — we believe this is the only way to create a consistent, strategic, and equitable structure that unlocks healthy growth for our organization. We decide any hire's offer based on three factors: (1) expected performance in the role, based on performance in the interview process and proximity of experience; (2) seniority, meaning amount of relevant experience; and (3) location, reflecting different costs of living.