Research Assistant [LKCMedicine]

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), a partnership between Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Imperial College London (Imperial) is training doctors who put patients at the centre of their exemplary care. In line with the School’s vision of redefining medicine and transforming healthcare, the motivation of LKCMedicine’s research is to shape future medicine and healthcare through disruptive discoveries and inventions that are of national and global impact. The five key research focus at LKCMedicine are: Neuroscience and Mental Health, Population/Global Health, Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Nutrition, Metabolism & Health and Skin Diseases and Wound Repair, strategic programmes that directly address Singapore’s healthcare challenges of tomorrow, including caring for its rapidly ageing population. Intersecting with these programmes are cross-cutting themes such as Data Science, Developmental Biology & Regenerative Medicine and Microbiome Medicine for which we have unique strengths.

The Hwei-Ee Tan lab studies the fundamental biological basis of “gut-feelings”, how bacteria in the gut signals to the host to influence physiology and behaviour. Using mice as a mammalian model, the lab investigates how diet and microbiome factors modulates host phenotypes (e.g. food reward, anxiety behaviours, etc). Besides supporting curiosity-driven basic research on the gut-brain axis, his lab is also studying the brain-gut axis, to uncover host-microbe interactions. His lab’s work is multidisciplinary, the research scope covers diverse skills from molecular biology to systems neuroscience, physiology and behaviour. With top-tier research support from National Research Foundation Singapore, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD), etc, his lab at NTU LKCMedicine is actively recruiting talented postdoctoral research fellows, research assistants, and interns, and also open to sponsoring motivated PhD/Masters students. A short-term or part-time research assistantship may also be arranged for motivated trainees. Applicants are strongly encouraged to look up the lab’s website and email the PI with a cover letter and a CV/resume.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and conduct high quality research independently, as a candidate is expected to have relevant experience in one or more of these areas (e.g. mice/rodent handling, optogenetics and behaviours, animal surgery and dissection, calcium imaging, gnotobiotic studies and microbiome analysis, etc).

• Lead, assist or learn in a dynamic range of projects and lab duties, including but not limited to molecular biology and histology procedures, microscopy, rodent behavioural assays, neuroscience optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques, functional recording and calcium imaging, mice surgery, data analysis and presentation, lab maintenance and office, academic and administrative tasks

• Mentor and collaborate with group members and other research teams

• Demonstrate him/herself exceptionally self-motivated, a team player

• Any other responsibilities as advised by the PI based on the evolving needs in the lab

Key Competencies and Educational Requirements:

• Hold a Diploma or Bachelor Degree in Biology or relevant disciplines

• Have a keen interest in the lab’s research theme on the microbiome gut brain neuroscience

• Be proficient in relevant techniques described above

• Be highly motivated and conscientious

• Demonstrate her/his competencies and qualifications satisfactorily

• Work independently, and also have the ability to work effectively in a team

• Have good organisational, verbal and interpersonal skills

We regret to inform that only shortlisted profiles will be contacted.