At a Glance
- Tasks: Build cutting-edge AI systems for biomedical research and optimise data workflows.
- Company: Owkin, an innovative AI company revolutionising biology with advanced technology.
- Benefits: Flexible work arrangements, friendly environment, and international team collaboration.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and grow your skills in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in scientific discovery with intuitive AI-driven tools.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, system architecture, and AI integration.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About us
Owkin is an AI company on a mission to solve the complexity of biology. It is building the first Biology Super Intelligence (BASI) by combining powerful biological large language models, multimodal patient data, and agentic software. At the heart of this system is Owkin K, an AI copilot and its new LLM fine-tuned on biology called Owkin Zero, used by researchers, clinicians, and drug developers to better understand biology, validate scientific hypotheses, and deliver better diagnostics and therapies faster.
Position is based in our Paris office or remotely in France, UK, Germany. Please submit your CV in English.
About the role:
As a Senior Data Backend Engineer, you will build the world leading Agentic AI product for biomedical researchers by combining robust engineering practices with cutting-edge AI technologies. You'll be working on a real-time system that integrates LLMs, tool-calling, to explore public biology knowledge, Owkin proprietary data and client data.
More specifically the role is focused on designing and optimising data workflows (storage, querying, analytics, etc) for agentic capabilities. In particular, you will:
- Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team of product managers, designers, software engineers, data engineers and machine learning and biomedical scientists.
- Design, build, and maintain scalable, reliable data-intensive AI systems.
- Drive technical decisions and provide context-aware solutions for AI systems in biological research.
- Experiment with cutting-edge industry solutions— orchestration patterns, analytical DB (DuckDB, etc), distributed computing (AWS Athena, Trino, etc), integration with data platforms (Snowflake, Databricks, etc).
- Lead core stack component development focusing on sustainability, scalability, security, reliability, and performance.
- Foster team growth by sharing expertise and mentoring colleagues through code reviews, technical discussions, and knowledge sharing.
About you
- You’re driven by impact — excited to empower biomedical researchers with intuitive, AI-driven tools that unlock scientific discovery.
- Strong collaborative skills with an open, pragmatic mindset; you thrive in multidisciplinary environments that involve people with diverse backgrounds.
- Clear and effective communicator who can translate technical complexity into actionable decisions for the team.
- Proven track record leading software development at scale in production environments.
- Deep understanding of system architecture, infrastructure design, and building resilient distributed systems.
- Extensive experience with production environments: continuous deployment, high availability, observability, and security.
- Curiosity and ideally hands-on experience with AI systems — from integrating LLMs to managing their connection to data.
- Passion for user experience and product thinking: you consider not only the system’s internals but how the end user interacts with and benefits from your work.
- Proficiency with Claude Code and other AI software engineering tools.
- Fluent English, both written and spoken.
Stack: Python, DuckDB, Kubernetes, AWS
What we offer
- Flexible work organization
- Friendly and informal working environment
- Opportunity to work with an international team with high technical and scientific backgrounds
Recruitment Process & Security
Please complete the form and submit your CV. 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.
Owkin is a great place to work. As a coveted workplace we are, unfortunately, vulnerable to recruitment phishing scams. We urge all job seekers and candidates to be wary of potential scams. Most of these have individuals posing as representatives of prominent companies, including Owkin, with the aim of obtaining personal, sensitive, or financial information from applicants. These scams prey upon an individual’s desire to obtain a job and can sometimes “feel” like a genuine recruitment process. Some red flags are identified below. Should you encounter a recruitment process that claims to be for Owkin but is not consistent with the below, please do not provide any personal or financial information:
- Legitimate Owkin recruitment processes include communication with candidates through recognized professional networks, such as LinkedIn.
- Communication is always through an official Owkin email address (from the @owkin.com domain), over the phone or through our applicant tracking system (Greenhouse).
- The Owkin talent team do use platforms such as LinkedIn and Job Teaser, however if you have any concern or doubt about this contact, please ask for them to send an email from @Owkin.com.
- The Owkin talent team will not solicit personal data from candidates during the application phase including, but not limited to, date of birth, social security numbers, or bank account information;
- Legitimate Owkin interviews may be conducted over the phone, in person, or via an approved enterprise videoconferencing service (Google Meets). They will not occur via Signal, Telegram or Messenger.
- Owkin offers of employment are based on merit and only extended once a candidate has interviewed with members of the talent and hiring team. Offers will be extended both verbally and in written format.
If you think that you have been a victim of fraud, check the identity of the talent team on LinkedIn, check our senior team on our website https://owkin.com/team/, check the existence of the position on our website: https://www.owkin.com/careers#current-opportunities, notify Owkin's recruitment unit at this address hiring@owkin.com, contact the following authorities:
Senior Data Backend Engineer 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 Data Backend Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub with projects, make sure to share it. It’s a great way to demonstrate what you can do beyond the paper.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to data engineering. We all know that confidence shines through when you’re well-prepared!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Backend Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Data Backend Engineer role. Highlight your experience with data workflows, AI systems, and any relevant technologies like Python and AWS. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Showcase Collaboration Skills:Since you'll be working in a multi-disciplinary team, it's important to showcase your collaborative skills. Mention any past experiences where you worked with diverse teams or contributed to group projects. We love a good team player!
Communicate Clearly:In your application, aim for clear and effective communication. Avoid jargon where possible and explain your technical experience in a way that’s easy to understand. We appreciate candidates who can translate complexity into simplicity!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Owkin!
How to prepare for a job interview at Owkin
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Python, DuckDB, and AWS. Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems and how they apply to AI, as this will show your technical prowess and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working with a multi-disciplinary team, be prepared to discuss your past experiences collaborating with product managers, designers, and scientists. Share specific examples of how you’ve successfully worked in diverse teams and contributed to shared goals.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions that assess your understanding of system architecture and data workflows. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as this will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with non-technical team members.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Impact
Owkin is all about empowering biomedical researchers, so convey your enthusiasm for using AI to drive scientific discovery. Share any relevant projects or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact in the field of biology.
