At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of an AI scientist for drug discovery and therapeutic breakthroughs.
- Company: Owkin, a pioneering AI company transforming biology with innovative technology.
- Benefits: Flexible work, friendly environment, and collaboration with an international team.
- Other info: Opportunity to publish impactful research and work in a dynamic, collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Join us to revolutionise drug discovery and automate the scientific method.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant fields and expertise in agentic AI and Python programming.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
About us
Owkin is an agentic AI company pioneering Biological Artificial Superintelligence to solve problems in biology where human researchers alone have failed. Owkin builds K Pro - an AI scientist for pharmaceutical research and strategic decision-making. K Pro orchestrates a suite of AI skills and tools to decode complex biology, accelerate research, and dramatically increase productivity. K Pro is built on Owkin’s unrivalled multimodal patient data network, state-of-the-art AI for biology and a decade of experience working with pharmaceutical partners.
About the role:
We are looking for a visionary ML/AI Scientist to co-lead the development of our AI Scientist—an autonomous agentic system designed to navigate the complexities of drug discovery, in collaboration with our Platform Biology team and our Product team. This role is about building a "scientists in a box" that can reason over biological data, design experiments, and autonomously drive therapeutic breakthroughs. Unlike traditional ML roles that focus on single-task optimization, you will be building a meta-researcher. You’ll be at the heart of Owkin’s mission, creating the engine that will discover the next generation of life-saving therapeutics.
In particular, you will:
- Architect Agentic Systems: Design and implement sophisticated AI agents capable of multi-step reasoning, tool-use, and self-correction.
- Bridge AI and Wet-Lab: Develop frameworks where agents can propose hypotheses and design "optimal experiments" to be validated in a wet-lab.
- Scale the "Hacker" Approach: Rapidly prototype and iterate on agentic architectures, moving from paper to production-grade code with speed and precision.
- Scientific Leadership: Maintain a watch on the frontier of GenAI and Agentic workflows, publishing high-impact research at the intersection of AI, Biology and Chemistry.
About you
The successful candidate possesses a "hacker spirit", e.g., you don’t just wait for the perfect dataset, you build the tools to find it. You are independent, deeply curious, and obsessed with the idea of automating the scientific method.
Core Requirements:
- Demonstrated Expertise in Agentic AI: Deep understanding of LLM reasoning (Chain-of-Thought, ReAct), long-context management, and tool-augmented generation.
- The Hacker Toolkit: Expert-level Python skills with a focus on "building." You should be comfortable writing clean, modular code that interfaces with complex APIs and databases.
- Technical Foundation: PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or Applied Mathematics (or equivalent high-level industry experience).
- Communication: Ability to explain complex agent behaviours to both AI peers and biological experts. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Fluent in English (French is a plus). Team first, highly collaborative mindset.
Preferred Qualifications (The "Big Plus")
- We are especially interested in candidates who bring Computational Biology or Chemistry expertise to the table.
- Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of the "central dogma" data stack, from processing raw sequencing (omics) to interpreting the physics and geometry of macromolecular structures.
- Closed-loop Discovery: Experience in Active Learning, Bayesian Optimization, or Optimal Experimental Design.
- Systems Engineering: Experience training and deploying large-scale models or managing complex multi-agent orchestrations.
- Causal Inference: Experience in understanding "response to treatment" or causal discovery in biological systems.
- Industry Impact: Proven track record of taking a research concept and turning it into a functional tool used by other scientists.
- Publication Record: History of contributions to top-tier journals or ML conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) or equivalent online content (e.g. github; patents; etc…).
What we offer
- Flexible work organization
- Friendly and informal working environment
- Opportunity to work with an international team with high technical and scientific backgrounds
Owkin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status or on the basis of disability.
Senior AI Scientist employer: Owkin
OWKIN is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in the field of AI-driven drug discovery. With a flexible remote work environment, employees are empowered to thrive while contributing to groundbreaking research in Oncology and Age-Related Diseases. The company fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional growth, making it an ideal place for passionate scientists looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior AI Scientist
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Owkin. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Owkin!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior AI Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Owkin that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Owkin.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Owkin does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Owkin
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Owkin. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Owkin's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Owkin. This shows your passion for the industry!
