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Scientist II

San Deigo, CA

Are you ready to join a team committed to making a meaningful impact on cancer treatment through the discovery and development of precision medicines? At Kura Oncology, you have an opportunity to be a part of something bigger, with a lasting impact that you can be proud of.

At Kura Oncology, we are working to change the paradigm and improve the science of cancer treatment. As an organization, we strive to cultivate a diverse and talented professional culture driven to develop precision medicine therapeutics.

As we continue to build a leading biotech organization with a strong culture, a patient-focused mindset and a team focused on relentless execution, we are looking for innovative, passionate professionals to join us and make our vision a reality.

To succeed at Kura, you will need to have a demonstrated ability for excellence in drug discovery and development and a roll-up your sleeves attitude. The ideal candidate will possess a values-driven work style where integrity and grit drive all behaviors, decisions, and actions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Are you passionate about cutting-edge science and ready to make a real impact in the world of precision medicine? We’re looking for a highly motivated and detail-oriented Lab Manager / Scientist II to join our research team.

In this hybrid role, you’ll be hands-on in the lab, driving innovative experiments—from CRISPR screens, epigenomic assays to phenotypic experiments. You’ll also be the operational backbone of the lab, ensuring everything runs smoothly—from equipment maintenance and inventory management to budgeting and vendor coordination.

This is more than just a job, it’s a chance to shape the future of precision medicine while working alongside a passionate team of scientists in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

  • Lab Experimentation
    • Conduct CRISPR/Cas9 screens using sgRNA libraries and contribute to data analysis from such screens.
    • Library preparation for ChIP-seq and/or RNA-seq
    • Cell culture, lentiviral preps and stable cell line generation including but not limited to constitutive and inducible KD systems (using sh/sgRNA) and overexpression systems
    • In vitro phenotypic assays to evaluate genetic dependence on key targets including through pharmacological and genetic experiments
    • Evaluate potential synergy between targets of interest and standard-of-care therapies by phenotypic, signaling, and gene expression assays
    • Support other scientists (as needed) on the team in de-risking projects by generating conclusive POC data
    • Develop and implement new laboratory procedures and protocols such as specific biochemical or cellular assay needed for specific requests
    • Assist with data storage and management
  • Lab Management
    • Lab supply ordering, lab organization, and maintaining inventory.
    • Ensure all consumables and reagents are stocked
    • Work with the team to assign lab duties and ensure efficient lab operations and inspection-readiness
    • Ensure that all necessary equipment is in working order and maintained properly. 
    • Troubleshoot errors on equipment by working with vendors and coordinating prompt service requests reps to troubleshoot as needed
  • Contract and PO work
    • Maintain appropriate contracts and request POs needed for all common lab supplies and services 
    • Assist in budget preparation for lab 
    • Assist in managing/tracking laboratory budget and resources. 

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

    • Master's degree or equivalent
    • 3+ years of experience purchasing lab supplies, equipment and managing lab in general.
    • 3+ years hands on tissue culture experience
    • Must have familiarity with assays such as dropout screens, CRISPR technology, qPCR, Western blot, library preps for RNA, ChIP-seq.

The base range for Scientist II is $116,191 - $130,000 per year. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location, and relevant education or training. Kura's compensation package also includes generous benefits, equity, and participation in an annual target bonus.

Kura’s Values that are used for candidate selection and performance assessments:

  • We work as one for patients
  • We are goal-focused and deliver with excellence
  • We are science-driven courageous innovators
  • We strive to bring out the best in each other and ourselves

The Kura Package

  • Career advancement/ development opportunities
  • Competitive comp package
  • Bonus
  • 401K + Employer contributions
  • Generous stock options
  • ESPP Plan
  • 20 days of PTO to start
  • 18 Holidays  (Including Summer & Winter Break)
  • Generous Benefits Package with a variety of plans available with a substantial employer match
  • Paid Paternity/Maternity Leave
  • In-Office Catered lunches
  • Home Office Setup
  • Lifestyle Spending Stipend
  • Commuter Stipend (Boston Office)
  • Regular employee social activities, including happy hours, monthly birthday celebrations, Kura Koffee Talks, and much more!

Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. The Company’s pipeline consists of small molecule drug candidates designed to target cancer signaling pathways. Ziftomenib, a once-daily, oral menin inhibitor, is the first and only investigational therapy to receive Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (“R/R”) NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (“AML”). In November 2024, Kura Oncology entered into a global strategic collaboration agreement with Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialize ziftomenib for AML and other hematologic malignancies. Enrollment in a Phase 2 registration-directed trial of ziftomenib in R/R NPM1-mutant AML has been completed, and in the second quarter of 2025, the companies announced the FDA’s acceptance of a New Drug Application for ziftomenib for the treatment of adult patients with R/R NPM1-mutant AML and assignment of a Prescription Drug User Fee Act target action date of November 30, 2025. Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin are also conducting a series of clinical trials to evaluate ziftomenib in combination with current standards of care in newly diagnosed and R/R NPM1-mutant and KMT2A-rearranged AML. KO-2806, a next-generation farnesyl transferase inhibitor, is being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial as a monotherapy and in combination with targeted therapies for patients with various solid tumors. Tipifarnib, a potent and selective farnesyl transferase inhibitor, is currently in a Phase 1/2 trial in combination with alpelisib for patients with PIK3CA-dependent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. For additional information, please visit Kura’s website at www.kuraoncology.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

Kura Oncology is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. 

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