Scientific Officer

Institution:  Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Family Group:  Allied Health

JOB SUMMARY

The Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and REsponse (PREPARE) is a national programme that was set up by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to support and strengthen Singapore’s key essential research capabilities, translational platforms, and expertise to develop tools, methods and products that can be tapped on to detect, respond to, and contain future infectious disease threats.

You will be involved in the establishment of the respiratory tissue platform as part of the PREPARE Laboratory Core in collaboration with partner laboratories located either at the Novena campus or LKC BSL3 at NTU. This co-op aims to develop pathogen-agnostic technologies and platforms to enable rapid therapeutic or vaccine development to enhance Singapore’s capabilities and access to vaccines during future epidemics. You will be responsible for experimental design, evaluation and documentation of the results and coordination with our collaborating partners

 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SPECIFIC 

  • Establishment of respiratory tissue air liquid interface and organoid cultures in collaboration with PREPARE collaborating laboratories.
  • Lead the immunological/virological characterization of viral infection models within BSL3/BSL2 e.g. viral load, neutralization titre etc in support of PREPARE projects.
  • Work with the PREPARE Laboratory head to manage PREPARE projects and train/supervise attached staff.

 GENERAL

  • Ensure safe execution of experiments and adherence to SOPs and all safety & ethics regulations/policies and procedures stipulated by the lab and institution.
  • Analyze experimental data and ensure proper documentation of results.
  • Prepare scientific papers and posters for publication and/or presentation at research & scientific conferences. 
  • Perform other duties as directed by supervisors and HOD, including work areas not mentioned here.
 

ORGANISATION RELATIONSHIPS     

 

SUPERVISOR’S SUPERIOR     : Prof David Lye

SUPERVISOR                          : Dr Ng Yan Ling

SUBORDINATE                        :

 

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D in Microbiology, Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Infectious Diseases or equival

 

EXPERIENCE

  • Minimum 3-4 years’ experience with air liquid interface or organoid culture models of respiratory virus infection

  • Experience with virological and immunological techniques such as PRNT, TCID, microneutralization, flow cytometry, ELISA
  • Willing to work in a high containment setting with high-risk pathogens and travel to the PREPARE BSL3 which is located at NTU LKC. Prior experience working in a high containment (BSL3) laboratory setting is advantageous.
  • Ability to lead a research project independently, able to cope with tight timelines and willing to respond out-of-office hours during national emergencies or due to exigencies of service.
  • Able to work well as a team and with partners from other PREPARE Cores & Co-ops, academic labs or government agencies.  
  • Good oral and written communication skills