The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) is a research institute under Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). IMCB conducts fundamental and translational biomedical research across areas including neuroscience, cell biology, disease modelling and therapeutic discovery. The institute provides a collaborative environment with access to multidisciplinary expertise, advanced research platforms and partnerships across academia, healthcare and industry.

The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) is a research institute under Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). IMCB conducts fundamental and translational biomedical research across areas including neuroscience, cell biology, disease modelling and therapeutic discovery. The institute provides a collaborative environment with access to multidisciplinary expertise, advanced research platforms and partnerships across academia, healthcare and industry.

We are looking for a Research Officer to support the development human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models to study glial cell biology in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases in the Patani lab at A*STAR IMCB. The Patani lab has played a pioneering role in neurodegenerative disease modelling focused on ALS using human patient derived iPSCs neuronal cultures. With the beginning of this new chapter in A*STAR, the lab is looking for a biologist to join the group. This means that the candidate has the opportunity to be involved in projects starting from experimental design through to target prioritisation, validation and mechanistic deconvolution. 

The candidate will have the opportunity to support key projects focused on the role of glia in ALS, and specifically on the role of deregulated RNA metabolism in motor neuron disease (ALS), where the lab has published some key papers (for example: Luisier et al Nature Communications 2018; Tyzack et al Brain 2021; Ziff et al Nature Communications 2023; Ziff et al Neuron 2023; Neeves et al Science Advances 2025) and reviews (for example: Petrić Howe et al Trends in Neuroscience 2023; Patani et al Nature Reviews Neurology 2023; Balendra et al Lancet Neurology 2025).

Key Responsibilities

• Culture, maintain and bank human iPSC lines, including routine quality control and documentation.
• Perform differentiation of iPSCs into neural and glial cell types, including astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocyte-lineage cells and neurons.
• Support the establishment and maintenance of disease-relevant cellular models, including co-culture and organoid systems.
• Perform routine molecular, cellular, imaging and functional assays to characterise cellular phenotypes.
• Support generation and characterisation of genetically modified or isogenic iPSC lines using CRISPR or related techniques.
• Collect, organise and perform basic analysis of experimental data and maintain accurate experimental records.
• Assist with optimisation and troubleshooting of experimental protocols.
• Support general laboratory operations, including reagent preparation, inventory management and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Work closely with scientists and other research staff to support ongoing research projects.
• Maintain high standards of laboratory safety, experimental reproducibility and good research practices.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biological sciences, biomedical sciences, biotechnology, neuroscience, cell biology or a related discipline.
• Prior laboratory experience in mammalian cell culture is preferred.
• Experience with human pluripotent stem cell culture or differentiation would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques, immunostaining, microscopy or cellular assays would be beneficial.
• Experience with CRISPR or neural/glial cell models would be an advantage but is not essential.
• Good laboratory organisation, record-keeping and troubleshooting skills.
• Careful and consistent in performing experimental procedures and maintaining cell cultures.
• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a research team.