Research Fellow (CSCB/OST)

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

University-Level Unit: Duke-NUS Medical School

Faculty/Department-Level Unit: Office of Research

Employee Category: Research Staff

Posting Start Date: 21/09/2026

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-color 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-color 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.