Scientist (Host-Pathogen Interactions Lab), A*STAR ID Labs

A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*IDL) is actively seeking a Scientist to join our mission of becoming a leading center for infectious diseases research. A*IDL is dedicated to advancing translational research in infectious diseases to improve both health and economic outcomes.

Host Pathogen Interactions in A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs) is seeking a Postdoctoral researcher to join the lab.

Job Description:

We are seeking a talented researcher to lead the research on a 3-year funded research project as well as develop novel ideas in the broad scope of host-pathogen interactions and infectious diseases. Preliminary data gathered will help develop the researcher’s career and path to independence through the various early-career support available internally in A*STAR as well as in the Singapore ecosystem.

The funded project will aim to characterize and compare host-alphavirus interactions at the immune response level in vivo in animal models through a novel viral-centric approach. Preliminary data of the lab has shown a differential adaptive immune response polarization between two alphaviruses and identified, via in vivo comparative multi-Omic approaches, a set of candidate host factors potentially responsible for the phenotype. The project will entail a close characterization of these host factors and their role in the viral life cycle as well as the modulation of the immune response of small animal models to these viruses. In addition to multi-Omics approaches (including single-cell and spatial), protein-protein interactions, microscopy, functional genomics, viral reverse genetics, and CRISPR Cas9 gene editing will be some of the tools used to investigate this viral hijacking and understand the host-viral interplay. Animal models available in the lab include mice and zebrafish. Downstream of characterization will aim to validate these targets in small preclinical models for subsequent drug discovery in the A*STAR ecosystem. Throughout the project, close collaborative work within A*STAR ID Labs as well as other institutes throughout Singapore and overseas will be used to leverage expertise for high-impact studies.

Job Requirements

• PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Life Sciences, Immunology or related field
• 2 to 3 years of relevant experience in immunology or related field. No virology experience necessary.
• Highly motivated and able to work independently.
• Team player with good interpersonal skills.
• Good spoken and written communication skills.
• Familiar with bioinformatics.
• Willing to learn to work in a BSL3 facility if necessary.
• Must be comfortable working with small animal models.