Urban Agritech Specialist

Palico Biotech Pte Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity packages

Collaborative environment at Biopolis

Job summary

Palico Biotech Pte Ltd is seeking an Urban Agritech Specialist in Singapore. You will be responsible for overseeing the genetic architecture of our OmniCell™ platform and leading the design of multiplexed gene-editing strategies. The ideal candidate will have a PhD and at least 5 years of experience in mammalian cell engineering.

Join us to work at the heart of Singapore’s Biopolis with competitive salary and equity packages in a rapidly growing startup focused on eliminating medical waiting lists for critical therapies.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in mammalian cell engineering.
• Deep understanding of the biology of MSCs and T-cell-mediated rejection.
• Experience with hydroponic/aeroponic nutrient cycling and microbial inoculation.

Responsibilities

• Lead genetic design and protocol development for silencing HLA molecules.
• Conduct validation of edit efficiency and off-target profiles.
• Supervise junior researchers ensuring project adherence.

Skills

CRISPR-Cas12b and base-editing expertise

Flow cytometry and NGS

In vitro T-cell provocation assays

Team leadership

Bioinformatics tools

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology, Immunology, or Cell Biology

Tools

Automated liquid handling systems

Non-viral delivery methods (electroporation/nanoparticles)

Job description

As a Urban Agritech Specialist at Palico Biotech, you will lead the genetic architecture of our OmniCell™ platform. Your primary objective is to engineer “off-the-shelf” mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that remain invisible to the host immune system. You will oversee the design and execution of multiplexed gene-editing strategies to silence MHC/HLA markers while ensuring the long‑term genomic stability and therapeutic potency of the modified cells.

Key Responsibilities

• Genetic Design: Lead the development of CRISPR-Cas12b and base‑editing protocols for silencing HLA Class I and II molecules.
• Validation: Conduct high‑throughput flow cytometry and NGS (Next‑Generation Sequencing) to verify edit efficiency and off‑target profiles.
• Functional Assays: Design in vitro T‑cell provocation assays to validate the immune‑evasive properties of engineered lines.
• Team Leadership: Supervise a team of junior researchers and lab technicians, ensuring adherence to project timelines and safety protocols.
• IP Documentation: Draft technical reports and patents to secure Palico’s proprietary genetic modifications.

Required Qualifications

• Education: PhD in Molecular Biology, Immunology, or Cell Biology.
• Technical Expertise: Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience in mammalian cell engineering. Expertise in non‑viral delivery methods (electroporation/nanoparticles) is highly preferred.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the biology of MSCs and the mechanisms of T‑cell‑mediated rejection.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in bioinformatics tools for genomic analysis and experience with automated liquid handling systems.

Why Join Palico?

• Impact: Directly contribute to a platform that eliminates medical waiting lists for critical therapies.
• Ecosystem: Work at the heart of Singapore’s Biopolis, surrounded by world‑class infrastructure and collaborative research institutes.
• Growth: Competitive salary and equity packages in a Series B startup with a clear path to global commercialization.

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