Research Assistant (Microbiology & Immunology) - 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-%28Microbiology-&-Immunology%29/20750-en_GB/?st=BBE292BB043DB988997818261DB218F6EFE0D99F

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Job Description

The National University of Singapore invites applications for Research Assistant for “Singapore Integrated Network for Genomic and Epidemiological Tick-borne Pathogen Investigation and Connectivity” in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. The Department of Microbiology and Immunology (https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/mbio/) at NUS is dedicated to advancing research, teaching, and training in infectious diseases, immunity, and host-pathogen interactions. It is well known for strengths in immunology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, and molecular biotechnology, supported by strong core research facilities and graduate training opportunities. Appointments will be made on a 1-year contract basis in the first instance, with the possibility of extension.

Purpose of the post

The Research Assistant (RA) will work closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) and study team members to support the successful completion of a tick and tick-borne diseases biosurveillance project in Singapore. The RA’s principal role will be to support field sampling and surveillance activities, manage and process study data for analysis and reporting, and contribute to accurate record-keeping and documentation to ensure project milestones are met on time.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. The Research Assistant will liaise with relevant personnel to facilitate the smooth running of fieldwork and related data workflows and will be accountable to the Principal Investigator (PI). The RA will be able to:
2. Provide administrative support to the project, such as organising regular meetings, maintaining communication with research team members and collaborators, and supporting scheduling and tracking of project tasks.
3. Support the day-to-day coordination of project activities, including planning and logistics for biosurveillance fieldwork across multiple sites in Singapore.
4. Provide administrative support to the project, such as organising regular meetings, maintaining communication with research team members and collaborators, and supporting scheduling and tracking of project tasks.
5. Assist with fieldwork operations at study sites, including supporting systematic collection activities and maintaining clear, consistent field records in line with project protocols.
6. Manage, clean, and process field and project data for analysis and reporting, maintaining well-organised datasets and contributing to the upkeep of project databases.
7. Support basic data analysis, visualisation, and reporting using relevant tools (e.g., MS Office, R Studio; ArcGIS where spatial outputs are needed), and assist with preparing progress updates and final reports.
8. Maintain high standards of professional conduct, data integrity, and record-keeping in accordance with project policies and procedures.
9. Assist with any other duties of a similar nature as delegated by the PI.

Qualifications

The applicant should:

1. Demonstrate competence in GIS-based mapping and spatial analysis (e.g., using ArcGIS), with the ability to support vector and tick-borne disease biosurveillance mapping and the integration of environmental and climate-related spatial data (e.g., satellite-derived indices, land cover, and other relevant layers) for analysis and reporting.
2. Have experience with field-based sampling and surveys, including working across varied habitats and maintaining accurate field notes, metadata, and sample documentation in accordance with project protocols.
3. Have a background in species identification and specimen handling, including experience with morphological documentation and/or contributing to species or ecological databases, with strong attention to detail in recording and data quality.
4. Have familiarity with molecular biology laboratory workflows relevant to biosurveillance (e.g., DNA extraction and PCR), and be able to follow laboratory protocols, maintain clear lab records, and support downstream identification workflows as required.
5. Be comfortable managing and organising datasets for analysis and reporting, and be proficient with standard productivity and data tools (e.g., MS Office), with added advantage of experience in analytical software (e.g., R).
6. Be able to work independently and collaboratively, with strong organisational and communication skills, and a professional approach to safety, confidentiality, and research integrity.

Remuneration will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Dr Benoit Malleret 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.