Research Associate

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY; Singapore; On-site; SGD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University seeks a Research Associate to advance MASLD research, focusing on molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets using both in vitro and in vivo models.

You will design experiments, analyze transcriptomic data, and maintain rigorous records while collaborating across a multidisciplinary team to drive translational outcomes in liver disease research.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline.
• Experience in MASLD, liver fibrosis, or metabolic disorders.
• Hands-on molecular biology techniques: RNA/protein extraction, qPCR, Western blot.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture and in vivo animal studies, incl. hydrodynamic tail vein injection in mice.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to troubleshoot experiments.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct in vitro and in vivo experiments to investigate MASLD mechanisms.
• Identify and validate potential therapeutic targets using functional genomic screening and gene silencing techniques.
• Conduct preclinical studies using animal models of liver disease and collect tissues.
• Analyze transcriptomic datasets to identify pathways and therapeutic effects.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with safety and research standards.

Skills

MASLD research

Molecular biology

Animal studies

qPCR / Western blot

Cell culture

Communication

Analytical skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Biological Sciences / Biotechnology / Molecular Biology

Job description

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) trains doctors who put patients at the centre of their exemplary care. The School, which offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes, is named after local philanthropist Tan Sri Dato Lee Kong Chian. Established in 2010 by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in partnership with Imperial College London, LKCMedicine aims to be a model for innovative medical education and a centre for transformative research. The School’s primary clinical partner is the National Healthcare Group, a leader in public healthcare recognised for the quality of its medical expertise, facilities and teaching. The School is transitioning to an NTU medical school ahead of the 2028 successful conclusion of the NTU-Imperial partnership to set up a Joint Medical School. In August 2024, we welcomed our first intake of the NTU MBBS programme, that has been recently enhanced to include themes like precision medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with an expanded scope in the medical humanities. Graduates from the five‑year undergraduate medical degree programme will have a strong understanding of the scientific basis of medicine, with an emphasis on technology, data science and the humanities.

The Nutrition, Metabolism and Health programme addresses one of the world’s most pressing healthcare issues: Over nutrition driven chronic diseases. The key objectives are to support efforts to elucidate the molecular basis of type‑2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, including fatty liver disease and to track changes in inflammatory signatures and states from healthy to metabolically imbalanced phenotypes. Our mission is to understand the developmental and environmental basis of obesity, diabetes, related gut, liver and metabolic disorders and to translate this understanding into disease alleviation and prevention

We are looking for a Research Associate to support research projects focused on Metabolic Dysfunction‑Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). The role will focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying MASLD development and progression and contributing to the identification and validation of novel therapeutic targets for liver disease.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and conduct in vitro and in vivo experiments to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying MASLD development and progression.

• Identify and validate potential therapeutic targets using functional genomic screening, gene silencing approaches, and molecular biology techniques.

• Conduct preclinical studies using animal models of liver disease, including experimental procedures and tissue collection.

• Analyze and interpret experimental data, including transcriptomic datasets, to identify relevant biological pathways and evaluate potential therapeutic effects.

• Maintain accurate experimental records, organize research data, and ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols and research standards.

Required educational qualification, experience, skills and competencies:

• Master's degree in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline.

• Research experience in MASLD, liver fibrosis, or metabolic disorders.

• Hands‑on experience in molecular biology techniques, including RNA/protein extraction, qPCR, and Western blotting, with familiarity in gene silencing approaches such as siRNA and shRNA.

• Experience in mammalian cell culture and in vivo animal studies, including hydrodynamic tail veine injection in mice.

• Good written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot experiments and interpret scientific findings.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team, with strong organisational skills and attention to detail.