Research Officer (BDMED_CH)

SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Biodiversity Medicine (BD-MED) is a Joint Research Institute under the SingHealth and Duke-NUS Academic Medicine partnership. BD-MED will focus on the science of plant genomics and biology in regional herbs and food plants with the mission of “translating biodiversity studies to impact medicine and health”. We are looking for a highly motivated research officer, interested in gut microbiome, clinical metabolomics and phytochemistry to empower our team towards becoming a global leader in translational biodiversity medicine.

Your responsibilities will include:
Sample preparation:
- Prepare biological samples for GC-MS and LC-MS metabolomics.
- Extract phytochemicals from plant sources.
- Handle tissue, stool, and plasma samples.
- Perform plant-based protein extraction and characterization using gel electrophoresis, western blot, and prep-HPLC.

Instrumentation/Lab operation:
- Operate and maintain LC-MS, GC-MS, QTOF-MS, Orbitrap-MS systems.
- Conduct data acquisition and interpretation.
- Maintain lab safety and hygiene.
- Establish and update SOPs.
- Provide technical support and general housekeeping.

Assay Development:
- Execute cellular, genetic, biochemical, and drug screening assays.
- Validate targets in vitro and in vivo using natural plant compounds.

Grant & publication support:
- Participating in scientific discussions.
- Present research outcomes.

Administrative Duties:
- Assist in procurement of laboratory supplies, consumables, and equipment.
- Liaise with vendors and internal teams to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
- Update and maintain procurement records systematically.
- Track and file invoices, delivery notes (DNs), and related documents.
- Prepare documents for internal checks and external audits.

Requirements:
- Bachelor or Master Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry and related fields.
- Carry out biological sample preparation for MS-based metabolomics (GC and LC), including the extraction of phytochemicals from plant sources.
- Handling biological samples (tissue, stool and plasma samples).
- Hand on the plant-based protein extraction and protein characterization with gel electrophoresis, western blot and prep-HPLC.
- Synergize and execute cellular, genetic, biochemical, and drug screening assays in natural plants for validation of targets in vitro and in vivo.
- Hand on the LC/GC instrumentations.
- Contribute to project management, presentations, manuscript preparation & submission for publications.
- Assist with general laboratory housekeeping, providing technical support, and establishing SOPs to ongoing research projects and maintaining good safety hygiene.
- Participate actively in scientific discussions, present research outcomes and organize outreach programs to the scientific community and public.
- Working experience with HPLC, LC-MS, QTOF-MS, Orbitrap -MS, GC-MS instrumentations, data acquisition and interpretation.
- Experiences with metabolomics and proteomic sample preparation and data acquisition.
- Some knowledge in microbiology, microbiome, and molecular biology, including DNA/RNA extraction.
- Being able to multi-task with multiple projects and keep pace in dynamic research environment.
- Good interpersonal communication skills with written, oral communication and computer skills.