Job description

At Orakl Oncology, we are accelerating the development of oncology treatments. Today, fewer than 5% of new cancer drugs succeed in clinical trials. Clearly, new methods are needed. We combine cutting-edge biology and AI to build the next generation of insight platforms with the world’s largest cohort of patient tumor avatars. These avatars fuel our AI-powered predictive engine, helping to anticipate clinical trial outcomes, validate therapies, and uncover new drug candidates.

Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to bring more effective treatments to patients who need them - and to make drug development smarter, faster, and more personalized. We collaborate with top hospitals, research institutes, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Backed by leading investors, we are a fast-growing, mission-driven startup at the intersection of science and technology.

We are looking for a passionate and dynamic hands-on scientist to build Orakl's CRISPR and functional genomics capabilities from the ground up. Reporting directly to the Principal Scientist, Gizem, you'll design and run gene-perturbation and drug screens in our patient-derived tumor organoids, generating the high-quality biological data that powers our AI predictive engine.

Preferred Experience

Must have

• PhD in molecular biology, cancer biology, biotechnology, or related field, ~1–5 years industry experience would be a plus.

• Proven proficiency with CRISPR gene editing in mammalian systems (ideally in organoids): gRNA design, MOI optimization, KO validation.

• Experience with both lentiviral-based and electroporation-based is preferred.

• Hands-on expertise in organoid culture.

• Knowledge of molecular biology techniques (RT PCR, qPCR/ddPCR, Western Blot, DNA and RNA isolation etc.) and flow cytometry/FACS.

• Exceptional wet-lab fundamentals: sterile technique, routine culture, molecular biology, cloning, assay development, QC.

• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, prioritize, and execute complex experimental pipelines with high quality and reproducibility.

• Strong analytical, quantitative data interpretation, and clear documentation/reporting skills.

Nice to have

• Experience with pooled/arrayed CRISPR screens or other functional genomics approaches.

• Experience with drug-response profiling in organoids (dose–response, time-course, combination assays) and high-throughput screening.

• Knowledge of programming e.g. Python

• Previous responsibility for managing CROs or academic collaborations.

• Experience mentoring junior scientists, lab technicians and/or establishing lab standards.

• Prior involvement in early-stage drug discovery or cross-functional oncology research.

What will you find at Orakl

• Mission: Work in a cutting-edge environment, on the bleeding edge of cancer research.

• Growth opportunities: we’re rapidly expanding the scope of our work and you will be offered multiple opportunities to grow with it!

• Impact: you’re going to be participating in a fast-growing, multi-faceted project with multiple opportunities to shape it according to your interests.

• More about Orakl on our Welcome to the Jungle page and on our website

Recruitment steps

1. Introduction call (20min) – An initial discussion to better understand your background, experiences, and motivations.

2. Technical Interview (45min) – A deep dive into your technical skills and expertise relevant to the role.

3. Case Interview (1h) – A case study or problem-solving exercise to assess your strategic thinking and analytical abilities. In-person when possible to meet the team.

• Reference calls - 2-3 references including at least a direct manager.

1. Culture Fit Interview (45min) – A conversation with our team to ensure alignment with our company culture, values, and ways of working.