Job Description
Job Title:
Research Officer, Nutrition & Digestive Health
Requisition ID:
1908
Posting Start Date:
05/05/2026
Long Description
The Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI) at A*STAR studies the digestibility and microbiome fermentation of food materials and ingredients to better understand their nutritional profiles. A key platform for this work is the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME), an in vitro digestion system. The SHIME system enables dynamic control of pH, acids/bases, bile salts and enzymes to simulate stomach, intestinal and colonic digestion. Regional sampling allows us to assess digestion along different segments of the intestinal tract and to monitor microbiome responses to foods and pre/probiotics. Such insights are difficult to obtain in human studies due to invasive sampling requirements, and animal models often do not accurately mimic human digestion. This is the first fully automated dynamic digestion system available to the public sector in Singapore.
We are seeking a Laboratory Officer or Research Officer to be trained in the operation and execution of SHIME studies, supporting a range of digestibility and microbiome projects in food and nutrition. In addition to your primary responsibilities on SHIME, you will assist with microbiology and molecular biology experiments, including routine culturing and basic assays.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and customize SHIME studies to address specific research questions
- Execute SHIME studies, including preparation of feed materials, instrument calibration, monitoring system status, sampling, and microbiome inoculation
- Perform routine cleaning, maintenance and basic troubleshooting of the SHIME system
- Assist with molecular biology experiments, including molecular cloning, DNA and RNA purification
- Assist with microbiology experiments, including maintenance of bacterial cultures and reporter-based assays
- Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks; prepare scientific reports and presentations; assist with manuscript preparation
- Purchase, register and manage stocks of chemicals and consumables
- Supervise and train students and interns
Qualifications
- Diploma or Degree in Pharmaceutical Science, Life Sciences, Food Science, Microbiology or a related discipline
- Understanding of digestion processes in humans is desirable
- Prior academic and/or industrial R&D experience in the food or pharmaceutical sector is an advantage
- Hands-on experience with experiments involving in vitro simulation of upper GI digestion or/and the lower gut fermentation
- Experience in performing molecular biology and microbiology experiments
- Able to work in a multi-disciplinary team, possess strong organizational and project management skills, demonstrate initiative and able to work independently
- Excellent verbal and written skills are essential