Research Fellow (Lipid or Polymer Formulation)

The Laboratory for RNA Delivery Therapeutics @ NTU

Prof Mary Chan-Park and her team have recently won a highly competitive large grant on the design, synthesis and studies of the improved RNA delivery vehicles. We are looking for post-doctoral fellows to design and synthesize new lipids or polymers that are stimuli-responsive and suitable for nanoparticle delivery formulations. New alternative delivery vehicles for the promising RNA nanomedicine are urgently needed to replace the current ones to achieve great delivery efficacy with less side effects. We have shown that some polymeric or lipid nanoparticles are excellent candidates as delivery agents.

This research will be in collaboration with other top international scientists from MIT, and Boston University.

Dr Mary Chan-Park is currently the Centre Director of the Centre for RNA Delivery Therapeutics. She is also the current President Chair Professor of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (2024 onwards) and the 2019 Board of Trustees Chaired Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (2019-2024), both at the Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore). She also holds a joint appointment at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at NTU.  She is the Director of the Centre for Antimicrobial Bioengineering and the Director of the NTU Laboratory for RNA Delivery Therapeutics. She is a Fellow of the America Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering.

Key Job Purpose - We are looking for Research Fellow for the lab to conduct research in novel stimuli-responsive delivery vehicles for RNA therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities:

The person shall develop new stimuli-responsive lipid or polymer formulations for RNA nanomedicine to achieve efficient transfection efficiency and endosomal escape. The person shall design and synthesize novel cationic or ioniable lipids or polymers and formulate then with RNA, and then measure the transfection and endosomal escape efficiency and other particle properties.

• Develop stimuli-responsive nanoparticle delivery formulations

• Develop optimum formulations for RNA delivery

• New Lipid or polymer design and synthesis

• Nanoparticle characterisation

• Bioimaging of mammalian cells and Delivery Formulations

• Mice studies

• RNA Transfection efficiency and particle measurements

Job Requirements:

• Recent PhD graduates in chemical engineering, bioengineering, chemistry, materials science and engineering or related fields with knowledge in RNA delivery and independent research are strongly encouraged to apply or inquire.

• PhD (for Research Fellow and above equivalent) qualification degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related field

• At least 5 years of relevant experiences in PHD or beyond / technical hands-on experience in stimuli-responsive nanoparticle Delivery Formulations and evaluation

• Familiarity with stimuli-responsive RNA delivery formulations and evaluation (e.g. top research groups and classical LNP formulations)

• Good written and oral communication skills (if applicable)

• Proficiency in RNA formulation / RNA formulation evaluation

• Mice studies, and bioimaging (confocal, FRET, FRAP, etc)

• Lipid or polymer synthesis

• Competent in oral / written technical communications, and technical leadership (required to supervise junior researchers, like PHD students).

• Interpersonal skill (e.g. Ability to work independently / develop solutions under strict timelines, meticulous and eye for details / excellent organizational / time management skills)

• Entry level PHD graduating candidates are welcome to apply

• For Senior Research Fellow,

  • Ability to supervise PHD students

  • Ability to build rapport and influence stakeholders at all levels

  • Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

  • Possesses international experience, with a strong network of contacts in the region.

  • Possesses international experience, with a strong network of contacts in the region.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.