Research Assistant/Associate – Gut-Brain Microbiome Lab

About the role

The Hwei-Ee Tan lab at NTU's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine studies how gut bacteria signal to the host to influence physiology and behaviour, using mice as a model. The lab covers the gut-brain axis and the brain-gut axis, spanning molecular biology, systems neuroscience, physiology and behaviour. It is recruiting research assistants and is open to sponsoring motivated PhD/Masters students; short-term or part-time assistantships may also be arranged.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and conduct high-quality research independently, drawing on experience in areas such as mouse/rodent handling, optogenetics and behaviour, animal surgery and dissection, calcium imaging, gnotobiotic studies and microbiome analysis.
• Lead, assist or learn in a range of projects and lab duties, including molecular biology and histology, microscopy, rodent behavioural assays, optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques, functional recording, data analysis and presentation, lab maintenance and office, and academic and administrative tasks.
• Mentor and collaborate with group members and other research teams.
• Carry out any other responsibilities advised by the principal investigator as the lab's needs evolve.

Required profile

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Biology or a relevant discipline.
• Keen interest in the lab's research theme on the microbiome, gut-brain neuroscience.
• Highly motivated, conscientious and able to work independently as well as in a team.
• Good organisational, verbal and interpersonal skills.

Required skills

• Proficiency in the techniques listed above (mice/rodent handling, optogenetics, calcium imaging, gnotobiotic studies, microbiome analysis, histology, microscopy, data analysis).
• Ability to demonstrate competencies and qualifications satisfactorily.