Research Fellow (National Centre for Engineering Biology)e for Engineering Biology)

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The National University of Singapore’s Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme (TRP) seeks two postdoctoral researchers to advance microbial-based live biotherapeutics. You will design genetic circuits, engineer strains, and test constructs across simulated gut and co-culture environments, under the supervision of the PI.

Initial appointments are on a 1-year contract with possible extension. Remuneration is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Synthetic Biology, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience in microbial synthetic biology, including genetic circuit design, strain engineering, quantitative characterization.
• Proficiency in designing, executing, iterating experiments and data analysis.
• Evidence of driving projects with scientific rigor and mentoring junior team members.
• Publication record demonstrating research ownership and impact.

Responsibilities

• Design and build synthetic genetic circuits for live microbial therapeutics and engineer strains for robust function and stability.
• Develop and apply high-throughput strain engineering and screening workflows to optimize constructs and characterize strain libraries.
• Establish assays to evaluate live biotherapeutic function in relevant environments and conduct in-vivo studies for efficacy and safety.
• Mentor research assistants, graduate and undergraduate students.
• Assist in duties delegated by the Principal Investigator and group leaders.

Skills

Genetic circuit design

Strain engineering

Quantitative data analysis

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Biotechnology or related field

Tools

FACS

Omics data analysis tools

Job description

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Job Description

We are seeking two (2) talented postdoctoral researchers to join the Synthetic Biology Translational Research Programme (TRP) at the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Our programme applies synthetic biology to achieve positive clinical impact, with a focus on engineering microbial-based live biotherapeutics that can sense, compute, and deliver therapeutic functions in relevant biological environments.

The Research Fellows (RFs) will work closely with the Principal Investigator and the research team to develop microbial-based live biotherapeutics - from genetic circuit design and strain engineering through to functional testing and iteration. The RFs will be expected to drive projects, generate high-quality datasets, and contribute to manuscripts and grant deliverables. Appointments will be initially made on a 1-year contract, with the possibility of extension.

Main Responsibilities

• Design and build synthetic genetic circuits for live microbial therapeutics (e.g., sensing, logic, control of therapeutic payload expression) and engineer strains for robust function and stability.
• Develop and apply high-throughput strain engineering and screening workflows to optimize therapeutic constructs and characterize strain libraries (e.g., potency, dynamic range, stability, metabolic burden), including implementation of genetic safeguards where appropriate.
• Establish assays to evaluate live biotherapeutic function in relevant environments (e.g., simulated gut conditions, co-culture systems, anaerobic settings) and conduct in-vivo studies to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and safety in relevant biological models.
• Mentor research assistants, graduate and undergraduate students.
• Assist in any other duties delegated by the Principal Investigator and group leaders.

Remuneration will be commensurate to the candidate's qualifications and experience. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Ms Suhana Sulaiman, at [e-mail].

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Synthetic Biology, or a related discipline.
• Strong hands-on experience in microbial synthetic biology, including genetic circuit design, strain engineering, and quantitative characterization relevant to live biotherapeutics (e.g., performance in complex media, stability, burden/fitness).
• Proficiency in designing, executing, and iterating experiments (design–build–test–learn), including development of assays that reflect relevant biological environments and reproducible data analysis.
• Evidence of driving projects with scientific rigor - from experimental planning to troubleshooting to clear communication - while collaborating effectively and mentoring junior team members.
• Publication record demonstrating research ownership and impact (e.g., first-author paper(s) and/or co-first-author paper(s) in well-regarded international journals)

Highly Desirable Experience

• Experience with high-throughput genetic engineering and screening workflows (e.g., multiplex genome editing, barcoded libraries, automation/liquid handling, flow cytometry/FACS-based screens, or similar).
• Prior experience with microbial-based live biotherapeutics (e.g., probiotic/commensal chassis, anaerobic cultivation, genetic containment/kill switches, host–microbe interaction assays, or in vivo/ex vivo evaluation).
• Proficiency in omics data analysis -including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, or metabolomics - to interpret complex biological datasets and derive actionable insights.
• Experience applying artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) approaches to protein or genetic circuit engineering.