About the role:

Owkin is currently recruiting a Target Validation Scientist to join our expanding team. The successful candidate will be a driven, experienced cancer cell/molecular biologist who is enthusiastic about leveraging state-of-the-art techniques and developing translational in vitro complex preclinical assays/models to validate therapeutic targets and deliver high quality biological and mechanism of action data packages to understand target therapeutic potential.

The best person for this role has the capacity to think creatively and a demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary collaborations involving a high level of teamwork. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute your in-depth knowledge and technical hand-on skills to our growing BioMedical department and support Owkin's discovery pipeline.

In particular, you will:

• Contribute to develop clear biological hypotheses for multiple novel target genes, select appropriate assays, then establish and validate their mechanism of action in complex in vitro models using primary cells
• Design and execute genetic and drug perturbations experiments to study novel oncology/immuno-oncology targets
• Develop and exploit novel cutting-edge disease-relevant complex models using primary patient cells (organoids, 3D culture, spheroids, co-culture) to enable validation
• Develop SOPs on your area of expertise and optimize workflow to grow capabilities
• Design, optimize and execute cellular-based assays and in vitro functional validation experiments
• Analyse, interpret data and present results in team meetings and to the BioMedical department
• Collaborate with colleagues in other functional areas including target discovery and prioritization and therapeutic area teams to pursue target validation experiments and support drug discovery efforts
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory notebooks in a timely fashion and prepare technical reports, summaries, protocols, etc.
• Train, mentor and contribute to building the experimental team

About you

Education & Experience:

• PhD or equivalent in an Oncology/Cell Biology or relevant discipline (or MSc with equivalent industry exposure)
• Minimum of three years’ experience working in an industrial setting after PhD
• Experience in isolating and handling primary tumor derived cells and performing flow cytometry based assays (apoptosis assays, cell cycle determination and multicolor staining)
• Experience with 3D model systems (matrix-attached models, spheroids and/or organoids) using primary cells
• Experience designing, cloning, and implementing gene modulation experiments using transfection/electroporation techniques in cell lines or primary cells, e.g. CRISPR Cas-9/RNAi.
• Experience with plate-based functional assays such as cell viability assays (e.g. CTG), apoptosis assays (e.g. Caspase), etc.
• A practical understanding of assay optimization to enable generation of reproducible cellular assays

Skills & Competencies:

• Deep understanding of cancer biology and comprehension of crucial steps in early steps of target validation
• Curiosity: you enjoy understanding how pieces fit together in the larger, complex system
• Able to scout for scientific and technical developments in the area of gene modulation and 3D complex tumor models.
• Strong communications skills and ability to present research succinctly
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment
• Ability to troubleshoot experiments independently
• Great attention to detail with excellent record keeping skills
• Capable of interacting effectively across interfaces of discipline, culture, and expertise
• Presentation skills
• Ability to fit and thrive in a continuously-learning and supportive work environment