Senior/Postdoctoral Associate

SINGAPORE-MIT ALLIANCE FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE; Singapore; On-site; SGD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative research center in Singapore is seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to develop rapid diagnostic tests addressing antimicrobial resistance. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Chemical or Biological Engineering and a solid background in laboratory assays. Responsibilities include planning experiments, developing technologies for clinical adoption, and mentoring team members. Interested applicants should submit their CV, cover letter, and references to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering or quantitative science preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in PCR, ELISA, and flow cytometry.
• Experience in assay design for low abundance biomarkers.
• Experience in BSL2 biosafety conditions and with complex fluids.

Responsibilities

• Understand the technology platform developed in AMR IRG.
• Plan and conduct experiments for medical diagnostic tests.
• Develop and validate new technologies for a translational product.
• Design experimental plans, methodologies, and protocols.
• Guide and mentor other team members.

Skills

Laboratory assays experience

Assay design

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

PhD in Chemical/Biomolecular/Biological Engineering or related field

Job description

Project Overview

The Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group (AMR IRG) is a unique translational research and entrepreneurship program aimed at solving the growing threat of resistance to antimicrobial drugs. In synch with the National Strategic Planfor Antimicrobial Resistance, the AMR IRG was launched in January 2018 as a research programme funded by the National Research Foundation,under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme.

AMR IRG is made up of biologists, engineers, and clinicians from MIT and Singapore, at career stages ranging from student to postdoctoral researcher to research scientist, all of whom work closely with a core team of research specialists. The group shares a state-of-the art research facility and is united by a commitment to providing a supportive intellectual environment where members can learn, grow, and contribute to solving a pressing societal problem.

Optimization of antimicrobial use has been recognized as a top priority in combating the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Yet, clinical tools are lacking to rapidly determine whether the infection is bacterial, and if so, which antibiotics will resolve the infection. Laboratory-based tests are available that can determine antibiotic susceptibility. However, the cost of these tests, the infrastructure required, and the turnaround times (longer than an office visit) limit their impact. Ideally, clinicians would know what medicine to prescribe that will be effective for a given patient within the space of an office visit.

Our team in AMR IRG is working to develop a multi-plex test that can address this gap for a common resistance mechanism that is widespread in the Asia Pacific region, while retaining performance metrics that are required for clinical adoption. We are seeking a creative, curious, motivated postdoctoral researcher with strong organizational skills to join this effort. The successful applicant will be motivated to develop technology that can be translated to the clinic quickly.

Responsibilities

• Work to understand the technology platform, developed in AMR IRG, that will serve as the basis for this project.
• Planning and conducting experiments with the aim of producing superior, cost-effective, and user-friendly medical diagnostic tests.
• Develop and validate new technologies and methods to achieve a translational product.
• Independently design and create experimental plans, methodologies, and protocols for the project.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to other team members.
• Work with other team members to achieve the project goals.
• Process, analyse and report data effectively in a timely manner.
• Publish papers and patents on technologies developed.

Requirements

• PhD in Chemical/Biomolecular/Biological Engineering or related field (engineering or quantitative science preferred)
• Demonstrated experience in a range of laboratory assays such as PCR, ELISA, and flow cytometry is required.
• Experience in assay design for detection of low abundance biomarkers.
• Experience working in a BSL2 biosafety conditions and with complex fluids, i.e. wastewater, blood.
• Skilled in experimental design (systematic studies, informative controls).
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and organizational skills, highly adaptable and responsive to feedback.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaborative working, to be self-motivated, well organised and focused.
• Impactful record of publications and patents.

Interested applicants are invited to send in their full CV/resume, cover letter and list of three references (to include reference names and contact information). We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified