Research Assistant/Associate, Molecular and Cellular Biology [LKCMedicine]

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) trains doctors who put patients at the centre of their exemplary care. The School, which offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes, is named after local philanthropist Tan Sri Dato Lee Kong Chian. Established in 2010 by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in partnership with Imperial College London, LKCMedicine aims to be a model for innovative medical education and a centre for transformative research. The School’s primary clinical partner is the National Healthcare Group, a leader in public healthcare recognised for the quality of its medical expertise, facilities and teaching. The School is transitioning to an NTU medical school ahead of the 2028 successful conclusion of the NTU-Imperial partnership to set up a Joint Medical School. In August 2024, we welcomed our first intake of the NTU MBBS programme, that has been recently enhanced to include themes like precision medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with an expanded scope in the medical humanities. Graduates from the five-year undergraduate medical degree programme will have a strong understanding of the scientific basis of medicine, with an emphasis on technology, data science and the humanities.

The Nguyen Lab (Principal Investigator: Thanh Ricky Nguyen) within the Cancer Discovery and Regenerative Medicine Program is a collaborative and innovative research group focused on uncovering how cells maintain internal quality control and how these processes break down in disease. Our research centers on the molecular mechanisms of autophagy and mitophagy, particularly in the context of aging, neurodegeneration, and cancer. We combine approaches in biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology with emerging experimental systems, such as advanced 3D cultures and in vivo models, as we build a versatile and evolving research platform to study disease-relevant biology.

For more details, please see Assistant Professor Nguyen’s profile and within the Cancer Discovery and Regenerative Medicine Program

We are looking for a motivated Research Assistant/Associate to join our collaborative research environment and support ongoing projects investigating autophagy and mitophagy in disease. The role involves performing experiments, analyzing data, and contributing to the development of new experimental approaches and model systems as the lab continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and develop cellular models, including mammalian cell culture and advanced systems such as stem cell–derived models and organoids

• Independently perform and analyze a wide range of molecular and cellular biology experiments, such as DNA cloning, western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, gene perturbation approaches (e.g., CRISPR-based methods and viral systems), and related biochemical assays

• Conduct imaging-based experiments, including immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy

• Contribute to the development and validation of cellular models for studying autophagy, mitophagy, and cellular stress pathways

• Work closely with the Principal Investigator and lab members, including PhD students, to implement research plans and optimize experimental protocols

• Assist with laboratory operations and regulatory compliance, including contributing to the development of risk assessments (RAs), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and maintaining an organized lab environment

Required educational qualification, experience, skills and competencies (to delete / replace in following grey highlight, where applicable):

• Bachelor degree (for Assistant) or Master degree (for Associate) in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline

• Minimum of 1 year of hands-on laboratory experience in mammalian tissue culture, particularly adherent cell lines (e.g., HEK, HeLa, or similar systems)

• Experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g., DNA cloning, western blotting, or related assays)

• Experience with stem cell culture and/or organoid systems is strongly preferred; candidates with such experience will be prioritized

• Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to document and present experimental findings clearly

• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute experiments with appropriate supervision, with strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research environment, with strong organizational and time management skills

• Entry-level candidates with relevant hands-on experience are welcome to apply

Hiring Institution: LKC