Research Assistant/Associate, Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Research [LKCMedicine] Full-time

Research Assistant/Associate For Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Research

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) trains doctors who put patients at the centre of their exemplary care. The School, which offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes, is named after local philanthropist Tan Sri Dato Lee Kong Chian. Established in 2010 by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in partnership with Imperial College London, LKCMedicine aims to be a model for innovative medical education and a centre for transformative research. The School's primary clinical partner is the National Healthcare Group, a leader in public healthcare recognised for the quality of its medical expertise, facilities and teaching. The School is transitioning to an NTU medical school ahead of the 2028 successful conclusion of the NTU-Imperial partnership to set up a Joint Medical School. In August 2024, we welcomed our first intake of the NTU MBBS programme, that has been recently enhanced to include themes like precision medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with an expanded scope in the medical humanities. Graduates from the five-year undergraduate medical degree programme will have a strong understanding of the scientific basis of medicine, with an emphasis on technology, data science and the humanities.

This project, under the Centre for Microbiome Medicine, investigates early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), focusing on factors like childhood obesity, early life antibiotic use, ultra-processed foods, and microbiome changes. The research team also develops machine learning models to predict cancer risk from longitudinal medical data.

We are seeking a Research Assistant/Associate to contribute to groundbreaking research on early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). The role involves conducting animal studies, analyzing microbiome changes, and supporting the development of predictive cancer-risk models. This position plays a crucial role in the Centre's mission to enhance understanding and early detection of gastrointestinal cancers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform experiments on animal models to study the impact of childhood exposures (e.g., antibiotics, diet, microplastics) on microbiome changes and cancer development.
• Collect and analyze biological samples, including microbiome and histological assessments.
• Support the development and validation of machine learning models for cancer-risk prediction using electronic health records (EHR).
• Prepare and submit IACUC protocols for animal research.
• Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records.
• Assist with data interpretation, report writing, and manuscript preparation for publication.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including bioinformatics and clinical researchers.
• Present research findings at internal and external meetings.

Required educational qualification, experience, skills and competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree (for Assistant) and Master degree (for Associate) in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in animal work, microbiome research, or cancer biology is preferred.
• Proficiency in animal handling, experimentation, and histological analysis.
• Familiarity with microbiome analysis techniques and bioinformatics tools.
• Experience with IACUC submissions and compliance with animal research protocols.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Entry-level candidates with relevant skills are encouraged to apply.