Postdoctoral Fellow, NK Cell Therapies & Immunology

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke-NUS Medical School invites applications for a Post-doctoral Research Fellow to lead the NK cell research program. The role focuses on design, expansion, and functional testing of NK cell products against hematologic and solid tumours in pre-clinical models.

The successful candidate will optimize NK cell expansion platforms, perform functional assays, and conduct in vivo studies to assess persistence and anti-tumour activity, with opportunities for publications and grant support.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Cell Therapy or related field.
• Hands-on NK cell biology experience including expansion and functional tests.
• Proven publication record and scientific independence.

Responsibilities

• Independently design and execute the NK cell research programme including expansion, engineering, and functional tests.
• Establish in vitro NK cell expansion platforms to generate high-quality products.
• Develop and perform NK cell cytotoxicity, degranulation, cytokine assays, and flow cytometry.
• Design in vivo studies using mouse tumour models to assess NK cell efficacy.
• Ensure rigorous data recording, analysis, and documentation.
• Translate findings into publications and new research directions.
• Support grant/protocol development and mentor junior staff.

Skills

NK cell biology

NK cell expansion

NK cell functional assays

Multi-color flow cytometry

Animal (mouse) tumour models

Publication track record

Independent research

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Immunology/Cancer Biology/Cell Therapy

Tools

iPSC-based NK platforms

Feeder cell-based NK expansion

In vitro NK cell assays

Job description

We are a fast-moving translational research lab driven by the need to develop curative, immune-based therapies for blood cancers such as chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and for Asian-specific solid tumours including nasopharyngeal cancer. A central pillar of our programme is harnessing natural killer (NK) cells as “off-the-shelf” cellular therapeutics that can eliminate malignant cells across both haematological and solid tumour settings. We combine leading-edge multi-omics single-cell profiling with AI/ML-guided discovery to define the mechanisms that govern NK cell fitness, persistence, and tumour recognition, then rigorously validate these findings using state-of-the-art platforms including NK cell in vitro expansion systems, engineered feeder and iPSC-based technologies, advanced functional assays, and in vivo tumour models. Our current work spans engineering and expanding NK cells for enhanced cytotoxicity and in vivo persistence, dissecting NK cell–tumour interactions within the immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumours, and deploying NK cell–based strategies to eliminate persistent leukaemia stem cells (LSCs) in minimal residual disease and prevent disease transformation. We seek a talented and driven post-doctoral Research Fellow to lead the design, expansion, and functional testing of NK cell products and to evaluate their anti-tumour activity in relevant pre-clinical models.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently design and execute the NK cell research programme, including in vitro expansion, engineering, and functional characterisation of NK cells against blood cancers and solid tumours.
• Establish, optimise, and run NK cell in vitro expansion platforms (e.g. feeder cell–based, cytokine-driven, and iPSC-derived NK systems) to generate high-quality, reproducible NK cell products.
• Develop and perform NK cell functional assays, including cytotoxicity (e.g. flow-based, luciferase, and real-time impedance killing assays), degranulation (CD107a), cytokine production, ADCC, and multi-colour flow cytometry immunophenotyping.
• Design and conduct in vivo studies using mouse tumour models (e.g. xenograft and syngeneic models of leukaemia and solid tumours) to assess NK cell persistence, trafficking, and anti-tumour efficacy.
• Ensure high-quality, rigorous, and reproducible experimental outcomes with careful record-keeping and data analysis.
• Translate research findings into publications, presentations, and new research directions.
• Develop plans for independent research that could have considerable influence and impact on the field and help attract research funding.
• Provide support for external grant/protocol development, study design, and management of research activities, including regulatory and IACUC documentation for animal work.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to undergraduate students and research assistants, contributing to team development and scientific direction.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Job Requirements

• PhD in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Cell Therapy, or a related scientific discipline (or equivalent postgraduate degree with a strong research track record).
• Demonstrated expertise in NK cell biology, with hands-on experience across NK cell in vitro expansion platforms and NK cell functional assays.
• Strong laboratory experimental experience; ability to work independently and rigorously.
• Hands-on experience with animal (mouse) tumour models, including study design, dosing, and endpoint analyses; familiarity with iPSC-based platforms is an advantage.
• Proficiency in multi-colour flow cytometry and cell-based cytotoxicity/immune-function assays.
• Solid grounding in the scientific context of tumour immunology and confidence supporting diverse research activities.
• Proven publication track record (including high-impact outputs).
• Demonstrated and growing research independence, with initiative and ambition to build new directions.
• Excellent scientific writing, critical thinking, communication, and presentation skills.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.