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.