Scientist, Chemical Biologist (GIS)

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The YUcleic Lab at GIS, A*STAR is seeking a Scientist or Senior Scientist to develop innovative chemical biology strategies for targeting RNA and DNA. You will lead multidisciplinary projects, design, synthesize, and evaluate small molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, and bifunctional modalities for gene-selective regulation.

Join a collaborative environment that integrates chemical biology with nucleic acid chemistry, functional genomics and molecular pharmacology to translate molecular

Qualifications

• PhD in chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, nucleic acid chemistry, or a related field.
• Strong hands-on experience in chemical synthesis, bioconjugation, HPLC purification, or analytical characterisation.
• Experience in cellular and molecular assays, such as qPCR, western blotting, cloning, reporter assays, or screening.
• Experience in ASOs, RNA-targeting molecules, CRISPR-dCas9/13, sequencing technologies, or functional genomics is advantageous.
• Strong scientific writing, presentation, and project-management skills.
• Independent, collaborative, and motivated to develop innovative therapeutic technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimise novel chemical biology strategies for regulating RNA and DNA.
• Develop chemical probes, ASO conjugates, and related therapeutic modalities.
• Establish biochemical and cellular assays to evaluate activity, selectivity, and mechanism.
• Collaborate with biologists, chemists, and computational scientists.
• Lead research projects, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to publications and grant proposals.

Skills

PhD in chemical biology

Chemical synthesis & bioconjugation

ASOs / RNA-targeting molecules

Cellular/molecular assays

CRISPR/dCas9 sequencing

Scientific writing & presenting

Education

PhD in chemical biology or related field

Tools

HPLC purification

Analytical characterization

Sequencing technologies

Job description

• Engineering nucleic acid-targeting strategies for gene regulation.

The YUcleic Lab at GIS, A*STAR, is recruiting a Scientist or Senior Scientist to develop innovative chemical biology strategies for targeting RNA and DNA.

Our lab integrates chemical biology, nucleic acid chemistry, functional genomics, and molecular pharmacology to engineer small molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, and bifunctional molecules for gene-selective regulation. We aim to create programmable therapeutic approaches for disease-relevant and previously undruggable targets.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead multidisciplinary projects, develop new chemical modalities, and translate molecular design into functional activity in cells.

Research Areas

Projects May Include

• Design and synthesis of small molecule conjugates, ASO conjugates, and bifunctional molecules.
• Engineering nucleic acid-targeting strategies for gene regulation.
• Cellular screening and mechanism-of-action studies.
• Integration of chemical biology with sequencing and functional genomics.

Candidate Profile

• PhD in chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, nucleic acid chemistry, or a related field.
• Strong hands-on experience in chemical synthesis, bioconjugation, HPLC purification, or analytical characterisation.
• Experience in cellular and molecular assays, such as qPCR, western blotting, cloning, reporter assays, or screening.
• Experience in ASOs, RNA-targeting molecules, CRISPR-dCas9/13, sequencing technologies, or functional genomics is advantageous.
• Strong scientific writing, presentation, and project-management skills.
• Independent, collaborative, and motivated to develop innovative therapeutic technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and optimise novel chemical biology strategies for regulating RNA and DNA.
• Develop chemical probes, ASO conjugates, and related therapeutic modalities.
• Establish biochemical and cellular assays to evaluate activity, selectivity, and mechanism.
• Collaborate with biologists, chemists, and computational scientists.
• Lead research projects, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to publications and grant proposals.

Join us in building the next generation of RNA- and DNA-targeted therapeutics.