Research Assistant, Microbiome

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) trains doctors who put patients at the centre of their exemplary care. The School, which offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes, is named after local philanthropist Tan Sri Dato Lee Kong Chian. Established in 2010 by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in partnership with Imperial College London, LKCMedicine aims to be a model for innovative medical education and a centre for transformative research. The School’s primary clinical partner is the National Healthcare Group, a leader in public healthcare recognised for the quality of its medical expertise, facilities and teaching. The School is transitioning to an NTU medical school ahead of the 2028 successful conclusion of the NTU-Imperial partnership to set up a Joint Medical School. In August 2024, we welcomed our first intake of the NTU MBBS programme, that has been recently enhanced to include themes like precision medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with an expanded scope in the medical humanities. Graduates from the five-year undergraduate medical degree programme will have a strong understanding of the scientific basis of medicine, with an emphasis on technology, data science and the humanities.

We are currently recruiting a Research Assistant to work in the field of translational respiratory research investigating infectious and immune consequences in chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis under the supervision of Associate Professor Sanjay H. Chotirmall.

Key Responsibilities:
Research and Experimentation:
- Design, plan, and execute experiments involving NGS, including sample preparation, sequencing runs, and data analysis.-
- Perform protein work including purification, characterization, and functional assays.- Conduct microbiology research involving the isolation, culturing, and genetic manipulation of microbial strains.

Data Analysis and Interpretation:
- Analyze and interpret complex datasets using bioinformatics pipelines, statistical tools, and data visualization techniques.- Prepare reports, presentations, and scientific manuscripts based on research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Lab Administration:
- Oversee daily laboratory operations, including inventory management, procurement of reagents and consumables, and maintenance of equipment.- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and ethical standards within the lab environment.- Train and supervise junior staff, students, and interns in laboratory techniques and safety protocols.

Collaboration and Communication:
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including researchers, clinicians, and external partners, to advance research projects.- Present research findings at national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops.- Write grant proposals and contribute to securing funding for ongoing and future research projects.

Key Competencies and Requirements:- Technically skilled in NGS workflow and related bioinformatics, expertise in protein purification, characterization, and functional assays. Background in microbiology is highly desirable.- Proven ability to design and conduct independent research.- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare scientific manuscripts, grant proposals, and reports.- Ability to lead and train junior staff, students, and collaborators in laboratory techniques and procedures.- Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

Hiring Institution: LKC