Translational Pharmacology Scientist – RNA Therapeutics

SGInnovate; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi), hosted by A*STAR and supported by SGInnovate, seeks a highly motivated scientist to lead integrated pharmacology studies for obesity/MASH programs. You will design and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments, generate data to enable decision-making, and report results with high rigor.

The role emphasizes translational pharmacology, metabolic models, and RNA therapeutics, with training provided for modality-specific aspects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s/Master's degree in Pharmacology, Biomedical Sciences, Life Sciences, or related discipline with 10–12 years OR PhD with 7 years of experience in vitro and in vivo pharmacology.
• Proven capability in study design, execution, troubleshooting, data analysis, and scientific reporting with minimal supervision.
• Experience developing and managing IACUC protocols for rodent studies.
• Strong emphasis on rigor, reproducibility, data integrity, and thorough documentation.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with a translational mindset.
• Prior RNA therapeutics experience (ASO/siRNA) is required; metabolic disease exposure is desirable but training is provided.

Responsibilities

• Independently design and execute integrated in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies aligned with project objectives.
• Generate high-quality, decision-enabling data through rigorous experimental design, troubleshooting, statistical analysis, and interpretation.
• Present findings and recommendations at internal project meetings with accurate documentation and timelines.
• Perform ASO and siRNA transfection studies.
• Conduct dose–response and time-course experiments to assess knockdown, potency, durability, and functional outcomes.
• Assess assay robustness, cytotoxicity, and potential off-target effects.
• Culture and maintain metabolic cell models (hepatocytes, HepG2, C2C12, 3T3-L1) and perform mechanistic obesity/MASH assays.
• Execute RT-qPCR/qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA/Luminex, RNA/protein extraction, and downstream analyses; maintain IACUC protocols and animal welfare compliance.
• Carry out efficacy and PK/PD studies in lean and DIO mouse models; conduct rodent dosing and metabolic assessments; collect tissues for PK/PD and biomarker analyses.
• Establish exposure–response relationships to guide translational decisions.
• Apply GraphPad Prism, Excel, ImageJ, and qPCR software for data analysis; document electronic records and prepare reports.

Skills

Pharmacology

Study design

Data analysis

Scientific reporting

RNA therapeutics

Rodent handling

Metabolic pharmacology

Education

PhD in Pharmacology

MSc/BSc in Life Sciences

Tools

RT-qPCR

Western blot

ELISA/Luminex

Seahorse XF

Job description

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi), hosted by A*STAR and supported by SGInnovate, seeks a highly motivated scientist to lead integrated pharmacology studies for obesity/MASH programs. You will design and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments, generate data to enable decision-making, and report results with high rigor.

The role emphasizes translational pharmacology, metabolic models, and RNA therapeutics, with training provided for modality-specific aspects.