Research Fellow (Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery/Advanced Imaging & Membrane Biophysics)

The School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CCEB) invites applications for the position of Research Fellow in Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery, Advanced Imaging and Membrane Biophysics.

The Nano-Bio Interface Lab led by Assoc. Prof. Wenting Zhao at the School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), investigates how nanoscale membrane organization, geometry, and biophysical properties regulate cellular and biomolecular processes in disease and therapeutic delivery. The laboratory has established strong capabilities in nanofabrication, advanced fluorescence and super-resolution microscopy, quantitative cell imaging, and biomimetic membrane systems.

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Fellow to contribute to an interdisciplinary research programme focused on understanding the cellular entry, intracellular trafficking, membrane interaction, and endosomal escape of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for next-generation RNA and nucleic-acid therapeutics. The project will integrate advanced live-cell imaging, super-resolution microscopy, single-particle tracking, supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) and other artificial membrane systems, together with LNP engineering and characterization, to elucidate how nanoscale membrane properties regulate LNP-membrane interactions and intracellular delivery. The work will provide mechanistic insights for the rational design of more effective delivery systems, particularly for challenging therapeutic cell types. The Research Fellow will take a significant role in leading research projects, developing new experimental approaches, training junior researchers, preparing scientific publications and research grants, and coordinating interdisciplinary collaborations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead research projects investigating LNP-membrane interactions, intracellular trafficking, and endosomal escape.

• Establish and apply advanced fluorescence imaging approaches, including super-resolution microscopy, live-cell imaging, and single-particle tracking.

• Develop and utilize supported lipid bilayers, lipid vesicles, and other artificial or biomimetic membrane systems to study nanoparticle-membrane interactions.

• Perform LNP preparation, characterization, cellular delivery, and quantitative evaluation of intracellular trafficking and cargo release.

• Develop quantitative image-analysis approaches for particle tracking, membrane dynamics, and intracellular transport.

• Analyse experimental data, review relevant literature, and prepare manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.

• Contribute to research grant applications, scientific presentations, and project reports.

• Collaborate closely with researchers from engineering, cell biology, biophysics, imaging, and therapeutic-delivery backgrounds.

• Supervise and train junior researchers, students, and visiting scientists.

• Assist with laboratory operations, equipment maintenance, research coordination, and compliance with laboratory safety requirements.

Job Requirements:

• A Ph.D. in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biophysics, cell biology, chemical engineering, materials science, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, or a closely related discipline.

• Strong research experience in advanced fluorescence microscopy and quantitative imaging is highly preferred.

• Hands-on experience with super-resolution microscopy, such as STED, SIM, PALM/STORM, expansion microscopy, or related techniques, is highly desirable.

• Experience in single-particle tracking, live-cell particle trafficking, or quantitative image analysis is highly preferred.

• Experience with supported lipid bilayers, lipid vesicles, artificial membranes, membrane reconstitution, or other biomimetic membrane systems is highly desirable.

• Experience with lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, RNA/nucleic-acid delivery, nanoparticle formulation, or drug-delivery technologies is strongly preferred.

• Research experience in membrane biophysics, intracellular trafficking, endocytosis, endosomal biology, or nanoparticle-cell interactions would be advantageous.

• Experience in mammalian cell culture, molecular/cell biology, and biochemical assays is desirable.

• Programming or quantitative data-analysis experience, including particle tracking or microscopy image analysis, would be advantageous.

• Candidates should demonstrate strong scientific independence, problem-solving ability, communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

• A strong publication record, including first-author publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals, is preferred.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.