Translational Biobanking Postdoc - Tissue Research

Mandai Wildlife Group; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mandai Nature, the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group, seeks an accomplished researcher to execute complex biological experiments, perform molecular assays, and analyze data for wildlife conservation projects.

The role integrates cell culture, stem‑cell biology, and advanced imaging, with emphasis on rigorous documentation, ethical practice, and collaboration with internal teams and external partners in Singapore and Asia.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in Biological Sciences, Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Reproductive Biology, Conservation Biology, Veterinary Science or a related field.
• Doctoral training should include substantial laboratory research experience and evidence of ability to complete independent experimental or analytical work.
• Additional training in stem-cell methods, cryobiology, biobanking, bioinformatics, statistics, microscopy, biosafety, animal ethics or research integrity would be advantageous.
• Experience conducting independent or semi-independent laboratory research as part of doctoral or postdoctoral training.
• Hands‑on experience with cell culture, molecular biology, cellular characterisation, microscopy/image analysis and quantitative data interpretation.
• Experience handling tissue samples for cell‑line derivation, primary culture development or work with difficult/non‑model species samples would be highly relevant.
• Experience contributing to peer‑reviewed publications, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, technical reports or grant‑support materials.
• Experience with iPSC generation, stem‑cell differentiation, transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, flow cytometry, FACS, high‑throughput screening or advanced bioinformatics would be desirable.
• Experience mentoring students, interns or research assistants on specific technical workflows would be advantageous, but this role is not expected to carry full PI‑level team leadership responsibility.
• Strong working knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, tissue culture, cryopreservation, stem‑cell biology and/or conservation biotechnology relevant to non‑model or wildlife species
• Hands‑on proficiency in relevant laboratory methods such as tissue handling, primary cell isolation, cell‑line derivation, cell culture, DNA/RNA isolation, qRT-PCR, sequence analysis, plasmid cloning, protein analysis, western blotting, immunostaining, microscopy, image analysis and FISH.
• Ability to analyse and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical, bioinformatics or image‑analysis approaches, with transparent documentation of limitations.
• Scientific writing capability for manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, technical reports, grant‑support materials and internal progress updates.
• Understanding of laboratory safety, biosafety, ethics, sample traceability, data integrity, SOP adherence and reproducible research practice.
• Ability to work independently on assigned research while collaborating effectively with the Principal Investigator, research team, students, collaborators and operational colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct experiments agreed with the Principal Investigator, including cell culture, cryopreservation, molecular biology, microscopy, image analysis and data interpretation.
• Develop testable hypotheses, experimental plans and troubleshooting approaches for defined project components rather than setting the overall programme strategy.
• Keep current with relevant literature and apply appropriate methods to improve experimental design, reproducibility and interpretation.
• Process, culture, cryopreserve and recover wildlife-derived tissues, cells and other biological materials using approved SOPs and quality-control criteria.
• Support taxon-specific optimisation of primary cell isolation, culture conditions, banking, thawing, viability assessment and sample tracking.
• Maintain accurate sample records, laboratory notebooks and metadata for assigned samples and experiments.
• Contribute to iPSC-related workflows, stem-cell characterisation, differentiation assays, disease-relevant cell models or other conservation biotechnology platforms as assigned.
• Perform molecular and cellular assays such as DNA/RNA isolation, qRT-PCR, sequencing-related preparation or interpretation, protein analysis, western blotting, immunostaining, FISH, microscopy and image analysis.
• Analyze wet-lab and dry-lab outputs rigorously, documenting limitations and technical uncertainties.

Skills

Cell culture

Molecular biology

Stem cell biology

iPSC techniques

Cryobiology

Biobanking

qRT-PCR

Microscopy

Data analysis

Experimental design

Education

PhD in Biological Sciences

Laboratory research experience

Tools

Flow cytometry

Sequencing

Western blotting

FISH

Job description

Mandai Nature, the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group, seeks an accomplished researcher to execute complex biological experiments, perform molecular assays, and analyze data for wildlife conservation projects.

The role integrates cell culture, stem‑cell biology, and advanced imaging, with emphasis on rigorous documentation, ethical practice, and collaboration with internal teams and external partners in Singapore and Asia.