Research Assistant (Lab Administrator - Pharmacology) - Part-Time

Interested applicants are invited to apply directly at the NUS Career Portal. Please note your application will only be processed if you apply via NUS Career Portal.

NUS Career Portal link: https://careers.nus.edu.sg/job/Research-Assistant-%28Lab-Administrator-Pharmacology%29/33146-en_GB/

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Job Description

The National University of Singapore invites applications for a Lab Administrator/Research Assistant position in the Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Established in 1959, the NUS Medicine Department of Pharmacology is a leading institution in Asia dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovative drug discovery and world-class education. The department is committed to improving patient care by developing innovative therapies and pushing the boundaries of medical discovery. The appointment will be made on a one-year contract basis. Based on the first year's performance, the appointment is highly likely to be extended to a long-term position for additional years.

Purpose of the post

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Lab Administrator/Research Assistant to support lab procurement and oversee day-to-day operations. This position is primarily management-focused and is essential for ensuring that the laboratory runs safely, smoothly, and efficiently. The successful candidate will serve as the main point of contact for internal lab coordination, safety and compliance, purchasing, inventory management, and administrative matters.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Research Duties

• Support the day-to-day execution of the research projects, working closely with team members to ensure efficient laboratory operations.

2. Laboratory Operations & Internal Coordination

• Maintain daily laboratory order, cleanliness, and shared workspaces.
• Support internal and external communications, ensuring effective coordination across stakeholders.
• Enforce laboratory rules, SOPs, and good research practices.
• Maintain the highest standard of professional conduct and record keeping in accordance with policies and procedures.

3. Safety Management

• Oversee daily laboratory safety practices and ensure compliance with safety guidelines.
• Ensure proper storage, labelling, and disposal of chemical and biological materials.
• Support safety documentation, onboarding procedures, and liaise with safety officers.
• Assist with any other duties of a similar nature that are delegated by the Principal Investigator.

4. Procurement, Inventory & Finances

• Manage quotations and procurement of instruments, reagents, and consumables.
• Maintain accurate online inventory and usage records.
• Prepare simple monthly consumption and expense summaries; provide regular financial updates to the Principal Investigator.

5. Administrative & General Support

• Coordinate complex schedules, meetings, and engagements across multiple time zones, ensuring timely follow-up on action items.
• Liaise with the HR office and support HR-related functions, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management, to build and sustain a strong support team.
• Assist with basic travel or conference arrangements, and coordinate reimbursements, shipments, equipment servicing, and asset records.

Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s degree in a Life Science or related discipline is preferred; candidates with strong administrative and lab-management experience will also be considered.
•    Prior experience working in a wet-lab research environment (academic or industry) is highly advantageous.
•    Strong organisational skills and attention to detail; comfortable maintaining structured online records and spreadsheets.
•    Good understanding of basic laboratory safety principles; prior safety or lab-management experience is a plus.
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to coordinate between different lab members and enforce rules in a firm but respectful manner.
•    Comfortable interacting with vendors, administrative offices, and external collaborators.
•    Proficiency with common office software and online tools (e.g., Excel/Google Sheets, email, basic shared drives).
•    Responsible, reliable, and able to work independently while maintaining regular communication with the Principal Investigator.

Remuneration will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Mr Yudi Wisantoso at [email protected].

Formal application: Please submit your application, indicating current/expected salary, supported by a detailed CV (including personal particulars, academic and employment history, complete list of publications/oral presentations and full contacts of three (3) referees to the NUS Career Portal.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.