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 Scientist/Senior Scientist to join as a Scientist to develop and apply 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. The candidate will report directly to Prof. Patani.

Beyond the wet lab personnel, the lab currently will comprise dry lab scientists with whom the candidate is expected to collaborate closely. 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 develop 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)

The specific details for the candidate's own projects will be developed in close discussion with Prof. Patani.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate and maintain human iPSC lines, include iPSC banking.
• Develop and optimise protocols for glial cell differentiation as well as neuronal cells.
• Establish disease-relevant cellular models, including co-culture or organoid systems.
• Perform molecular, imaging and functional assays to characterise glial phenotypes.
• Support the generation of genetically modified or isogenic iPSC lines using CRISPR or similar technologies.
• Analyse experimental data, including transcriptomic or single-cell datasets where relevant.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams across neuroscience, genomics, imaging and computational biology.
• Contribute to publications, research proposals and scientific presentations.
• Support junior researchers and maintain high standards of laboratory practice.

Job Requirements

• PhD in stem cell biology, neuroscience, cell biology, molecular biology or a related discipline.
• Experience in human pluripotent stem cell culture and differentiation.
• Experience with iPSC-derived neural or glial models is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with astrocyte, microglial or oligodendrocyte biology would be advantageous.
• Experience with CRISPR, co-culture systems, imaging or single-cell analysis would be beneficial.
• Strong experimental, analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.