Research Scientist, Cancer Science Institute

Job Description

Are you a biomedical researcher motivated to pursue an outstanding career in cancer research with a focus on structural biology?

Cancer will affect more than 1 in 3 Singaporeans. At the Cancer Science Institute (CSI), our mission is to be at the global forefront of research to overcome this scourge. Our innovative international faculty, cutting-edge facilities, supportive working environment and competitive package together enable each of our staff to realize their maximum potential.

We now seek a Research Scientist/ Senior Research Scientist to join the team of Prof. Ashok Venkitaraman. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with a world-leading cancer researcher to undertake pioneering research on the role of genome instability in human carcinogenesis (eg., see Venkitaraman Science (2014) PMID:24675954 and Venkitaraman DNA Repair (2019) PMID:31337537).

This position will be jointly under Dr. Tan Yong Zi, who is an expert on single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) (see https://www.tyzlab.com/). His lab is a core member of the Centre for BioImaging Sciences' (CBIS), and have access to high-end cryo-EM microscopes, including a Titan Krios with K3 direct detector and energy filter. The aim of this joint position is to use cryo-EM to help solve the structures of many exciting cancer complexes to help with potential drug development.

Duties And Responsibilities

The position exists to provide

•  Optimisation and performance of structural biological related experiments and projects, particularly in the field of cryo-electron microscopy
•   Sample Vitrification:
  • Proteins will be produced separately, hence experience in protein production is not required, although favoured
  •  Candidate will be responsible for optimisation of the vitrification of grids 
• Data Collection:
  • Candidate will oversee collecting screening and high resolution cryo-EM data from the T12 and Krios 
• Data analysis:
  • Candidate will oversee processing the data and producing cryo-EM maps from high resolution Krios data collections
  • Candidate will help setup the processing pipeline for CSI
• Education:
  • Oversee training personnel from both CSI and Tan lab on cryo-EM

Qualifications

• PhD in cryo-EM or structural biology related field
• Firm understanding of the principles of cryo-EM 
• Experience in single-particle cryo-EM sample vitrification, data collection and data processing
• Good publication record
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Friendly and personable

Covid-19 Message

At NUS, the health and safety of our staff and students are one of our utmost priorities, and COVID-vaccination supports our commitment to ensure the safety of our community and to make NUS as safe and welcoming as possible. Many of our roles require a significant amount of physical interactions with students/staff/public members. Even for job roles that may be performed remotely, there will be instances where on-campus presence is required.

Taking into consideration the health and well-being of our staff and students and to better protect everyone in the campus, applicants are strongly encouraged to have themselves fully COVID-19 vaccinated to secure successful employment with NUS.