Senior Research Officer (Immune-Microbiota Interactions), SIgN

A*STAR RESEARCH ENTITIES; Singapore; On-site; SGD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research entity in Singapore seeks a Senior Research Officer to contribute to impactful research on host-microbiome interactions. The role includes advanced laboratory tasks and opportunities for mentorship and professional development in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Mentorship and professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of full-time wet lab experience.
• Proficient in molecular biology techniques like PCR, RT-PCR.
• Experience with RNA techniques and immunological assays.

Responsibilities

• Isolate and culture microbes from samples.
• Conduct immunological studies including ELISA and flow cytometry.
• Manage lab activities, mentoring team members, and ensure safety compliance.

Skills

Self-motivated

Troubleshooting

Protocol optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology, or Immunology

Tools

R programming

GraphPad Prism

Microsoft Excel

FlowJo

Job description

The Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) is seeking a Senior Research Officer to join us in contributing to high-impact research on host-microbiome interactions.

This position is within the newly established laboratory of Dr. Meera Shenoy, and the successful candidate will work alongside Dr. Shenoy and a dynamic new team to investigate how the maternal immune system coordinates maternal health and early life homeostasis during pregnancy, lactation, and involution.

The successful candidate will be a team player, self-motivated, organized, and good at time management. The role offers opportunities for learning and mastering new skills, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, mentorship, independent and collaborative work, and career advancement.

Key Responsibilities:

Microbiological, Molecular, and Immunological Assays:

• Isolate and culture microbes in aerobic and anaerobic environments from primary animal and human samples.
• Develop and optimize molecular assays to investigate microbiota composition and behaviour, including techniques such as microbial flow cytometry, RT-PCR, cloning, and whole genome sequencing.
• Conduct immunological studies, such as ELISA, flow cytometry, and single cell RNA sequencing, to understand cellular and humoral immune responses.

Animal Work:

• Breed and manage animal colony with meticulous record keeping.
• Develop and optimize genotyping protocols and independently manage colony genotypes.
• Coordinate animal transfers and protocol amendments.
• Perform procedures including blood collection, injections, oral gavage, and pipet feeding.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Analyse a variety of data outputs, including flow cytometry, RT-PCR, genomic sequencing, and ELISA.
• Maintain meticulous records, draft reports, and present findings to team and collaborators.

Lab Management and Collaboration:

• Collaborate on research projects with students and scientists to advance team science.
• Support lab management activities, including mentoring team members, ensuring safety compliance, and facilitating efficient lab operations.
• Assist with setup of newly established lab. Source and procure essential consumables and equipment. Network with neighbouring labs.
• Draft and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for experiment and safety. Continuous assessment and refinement of protocols.
• Provide hands on training to staff and/or students on laboratory techniques, equipment usage, and safety practices.
• Manage and maintain inventory system of lab samples, consumables and instruments.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a laboratory advancing cutting edge research into host-microbe interactions.
• You are passionate about wet lab research and being part of a dynamic team.
• Access state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technologies.
• You are excited about putting your stamp on a new lab by helping with the setup.
• Gain mentorship and professional development opportunities.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology, Immunology, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of full-time wet lab experience.
• Proficiency in animal husbandry and experiments.
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques (e.g., cloning, PCR, RT-PCR).
• Experience with RNA techniques (e.g., RNA extraction, qPCR, sequencing).
• Strong troubleshooting and protocol optimization capabilities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• A passion for learning new skills and tackling new challenges.

Preferred Experience:

• Expertise in bioinformatics and analysis tools (e.g., R programming, GraphPad Prism, Microsoft Excel, FlowJo).
• Experience with immunological assays (e.g., flow cytometry, ELISA).
• Experience with bacterial culture and cloning.
• Experience with protein techniques (e.g., protein purification, Western blot).
• Experience with laboratory management (e.g., SOP development, records, procurement, personnel training, and inventory oversight) and/or laboratory set-up.
• Comfortable engaging with a variety of specialists, incuding research collaborators, vendors, core services, and clinicians.

The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.