Research Assistant, Microbiology/Molecular Biology [LKCMedicine]

at  NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine is recruiting a Research Assistant for the Respiratory and Infectious Diseases Programme, Laboratory of Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Discovery under Professor Pablo Bifani.
Tuberculosis remains as the leading cause of death associated with a single infectious agent. We focus on the understanding of the mechanisms of drug resistance associated with antimicrobials, including antitubercular drugs. The job entails working with the tubercular bacilli and decipher novel mechanisms of resistance associated with existing and new drugs. The Research Assistant will have to perform forward and reverse genetic experiments and work under biosafety level 2 and 3 containments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry-out forward and reverse genetics on mycobacterial species, as well as drug susceptibility assays, genomic and transcriptomic analysis and related skills.
• Responsible for the M. tuberculosis project in the lab.
• Bacterial assay development, assay optimization and compound screening.
• Target deconvolution (understanding mechanisms of action and resistance of selected compounds).
• Design and conduct experiments including data collection and analysis.
• Summarize and present the data in lab meetings.
• Develop new research techniques and approaches.
• Manage the grant and basic logistical requirements associated with the project.
• Perform maintenance of inventory and procurement of laboratory consumables.
• Ensure safe technical practices and procedures.

Key Competencies and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences or related fields.
• Background working with mycobacteria and familiar with basic molecular biology techniques, including recombinant work, genomic and transcriptomic work as well as drug susceptibility assays, kill kinetics, etc.
• Knowledge or expertise working with bacteriophages will be an advantage.
• Willing to learn and feel comfortable working with various bacteria (primarily) and parasites.
• Highly adaptable at working with different organisms and techniques.
• Collaborative spirit with internal and external collaborators.

Hiring Institution: LKC

• Carry-out forward and reverse genetics on mycobacterial species, as well as drug susceptibility assays, genomic and transcriptomic analysis and related skills.
• Responsible for the M. tuberculosis project in the lab.
• Bacterial assay development, assay optimization and compound screening.
• Target deconvolution (understanding mechanisms of action and resistance of selected compounds).
• Design and conduct experiments including data collection and analysis.
• Summarize and present the data in lab meetings.
• Develop new research techniques and approaches.
• Manage the grant and basic logistical requirements associated with the project.
• Perform maintenance of inventory and procurement of laboratory consumables.
• Ensure safe technical practices and procedures