Assistant Professor (Department of Physiology and CSI)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

National University of Singapore invites applications from scientists to establish an independent cancer biology programme aligned with CSI Singapore’s priorities. Candidates should excel in cancer epigenetics, RNA biology, functional genomics, and mechanistic cancer discovery, and build a high-impact research group.

The role emphasizes scientific innovation, grant development, mentorship, and collaboration with clinicians and industry partners to advance translational oncology.

Qualifications

• PhD in a biomedical or life sciences discipline with strong postdoctoral credentials.
• Proven track record of independent, rigorous cancer biology research.
• First-author and/or senior-author publications in reputable journals.
• Experience securing competitive funding and managing research budgets.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead an independent research programme focused on cancer biology including epigenetics, RNA biology, tumour state plasticity and functional genomics.
• Drive scientific innovation by developing novel concepts and methods.
• Lead grant applications and collaborative research initiatives; manage budgets and resources.
• Recruit, supervise, and mentor lab personnel; promote a collaborative, diverse lab culture.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaborations with clinicians, industry partners, and international researchers.
• Publish in high-impact journals and present at international conferences; participate in advisory panels and editorial activities.
• Contribute to graduate education and institutional research excellence initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with biosafety, ethical, and regulatory requirements; oversee lab operations.

Skills

Postdoctoral track record

Independent research leadership

Grant writing

High-impact publications

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Education

PhD in biomedical or life sciences

Tools

Single-cell/Spatial omics

CRISPR screening

Genomics / multi-omics

Job description

Candidates are expected to bring strong expertise in cancer epigenetics, RNA biology, functional genomics, and mechanistic cancer research, and to build a high-impact programme aligned with CSI Singapore’s strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Establish and lead an independent research programme focused on cancer biology, with emphasis on:
  • cancer epigenetics and chromatin regulation
  • RNA biology and gene regulation
  • tumour state plasticity and lineage programmes
  • functional genomics and mechanistic cancer discovery
  • integration of single-cell, spatial, and multi-omic approaches

Scientific Innovation

• Candidates are expected to drive innovation by developing novel concepts, methods, and experimental approaches that advance understanding of cancer biology. The work should push beyond incremental findings toward discoveries with the potential to reshape current thinking in the field.

Grant Development & Research Funding

• Secure competitive national and international research funding.
• Lead multi-investigator grant applications and collaborative research initiatives.
• Manage research budgets and ensure efficient utilisation of research resources.

Research Team Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, and mentor research fellows, research assistants, graduate students, and other laboratory personnel.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive laboratory culture.
• Provide scientific mentorship and career development for junior researchers.

Collaboration

• Develop interdisciplinary collaborations across CSI Singapore, NUS, healthcare institutions, and international research organisations.
• Partner with clinician-scientists to facilitate translational and precision oncology research.
• Engage with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners where appropriate to accelerate therapeutic development.

Scholarly Activities

• Publish high-impact scientific findings in leading peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research findings at international scientific conferences and symposia.
• Serve on scientific advisory panels, grant review committees, and editorial boards as appropriate.

Teaching & Academic Contributions

• Contribute to graduate education through supervision of postgraduate students.
• Participate in teaching, seminars, journal clubs, and academic training programmes within NUS.
• Support institutional initiatives in research excellence and talent development.

Laboratory & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with institutional, biosafety, ethical, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee laboratory operations, equipment, and research infrastructure.
• Promote good research practices and research integrity.

Skill Set Requirements

Essential

• PhD in a relevant biomedical or life sciences discipline.
• Strong postdoctoral track record in cancer research or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct innovative, independent, and rigorous research.
• First-author and/or senior-author publications in reputable journals.
• Expertise in one or more of the following:
  • Cancer biology
  • Tumour microenvironment
  • Epigenetics
  • RNA biology
  • Genomics / multi-omics
  • Functional genomics
  • Mechanistic molecular biology

• Experience with experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific writing.
• Evidence of grant readiness or prior success in competitive funding applications.
• Strong leadership, mentorship, and team-building potential.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and communicate effectively.

Desirable

• Experience with translational or clinically relevant cancer research.
• Familiarity with single-cell or spatial omics, CRISPR screening, or advanced genomic technologies.
• Experience working in internationally competitive research environments.
• Clear potential to develop an original, fundable, and high-impact research niche.
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration with clinicians, computational scientists, and industry partners.