Research Assistant (Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Dr Shu Zhang's lab)

Job Title: Research Assistant (Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Dr Shu Zhang's lab)

University-Level Unit: Cancer Science Institute of Singapore

Faculty/Department-Level Unit: Research

Employee Category: Research Staff

Location_ONB: Kent Ridge Campus

Posting Start Date: 23/09/2026

About The Lab

The Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) is a University Research Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS) dedicated to advancing fundamental and translational cancer research. CSI Singapore brings together multidisciplinary expertise in cancer biology, genomics, therapeutics, and clinical research, with the goal of improving our understanding and treatment of cancer.

Dr. Shu Zhang's laboratory is a newly established cancer genomomics laboratory at CSI Singapore focused on understanding how extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) reshapes the cancer genome, epigenome, transcriptome, and tumour evolution. Dr. Zhang received her Ph.D. from Peking University under the supervision of Professor Fuchou Tang (汤富酬), where she developed computational approaches for integrating single-cell multi-omics data. As a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, co-mentored by Professors Howard Y. Chang and Paul S. Mischel, she has led and contributed to studies published in Cell, Nature, and Nature Genetics, investigating how ecDNA generates oncogenic fusion transcripts and drives functional heterogeneity in cancer.

The Zhang Lab will combine cancer genomics, molecular and cellular biology, single-cell and spatial technologies, long-read sequencing, imaging, and functional genomics to investigate how ecDNA contributes to genome instability, oncogenic transcript amplification, tumour progression, therapeutic resistance, and tumour–microenvironment interactions.

We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant to join the laboratory at an exciting early stage of its development. The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator and research team and will have the opportunity to help establish a new research laboratory while contributing to cutting-edge studies in ecDNA biology and cancer genomics.

The position combines laboratory establishment and management with hands-on experimental research. A major focus will be establishing safe and efficient laboratory operations, coordinating procurement and vendors, organising and maintaining cell-line and sample resources, and supporting molecular, cellular, imaging, and sequencing workflows.

This position may be particularly suitable for candidates who enjoy laboratory organisation and operations while also wishing to develop research experience in cancer genomics, ecDNA biology, and emerging genomic technologies.

The Position

The Responsibilities Includes

• Laboratory Setup, Safety and Operations
• Assist the Principal Investigator in setting up and commissioning the laboratory, including workspaces, equipment, storage systems and routine research workflows.
• Coordinate ordering of reagents, consumables and equipment; communicate with suppliers and vendors regarding quotations, delivery, installation, servicing and maintenance.
• Assist with financial and administrative activities related to laboratory operations, including purchase requests, reimbursements and equipment procurement.
• Help establish and maintain laboratory SOPs, documentation, sample tracking systems and appropriate storage of chemicals, reagents and biological materials.
• Support laboratory safety, biosafety and compliance requirements in accordance with NUS and CSI policies, including safe handling and disposal of biological and chemical waste.
• Cell Culture and Experimental Research
• Assist in experiments investigating ecDNA structure, copy number, inheritance, and oncogenic function.
• Maintain, organise, authenticate and document mammalian cancer cell lines and related experimental models, with particular attention to cell-line identity, passage history, storage and recovery.
• Assist in the generation, maintenance, and characterization of cancer cell models, mouse models, and patient-derived tumor tissues harboring ecDNA.
• Support routine molecular and cellular biology experiments, including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, cloning, Western blotting and related assays.
• Support fluorescence microscopy and imaging experiments to characterise cellular and genomic phenotypes.
• Assist with drug-treatment and functional assays and, where required, CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing or CRISPR interference experiments.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, experimental records, sample information and associated metadata; assist with troubleshooting and optimisation of routine protocols.
• Sequencing and Genomics Support
• Perform sample quality control and maintain accurate tracking of samples, libraries, sequencing runs and associated metadata.
• Assist in the preparation, processing and quality control of samples for genomic and transcriptomic analyses.
• Support workflows involving whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing and other bulk and single-cell multi-omics approaches.
• Organise and annotate genomic and experimental datasets and support validation of genomic alterations, gene fusions and candidate regulatory elements using laboratory assays.
• Work with researchers, bioinformaticians and core facilities to coordinate sequencing experiments and integrate experimental results with genomic or multi-omics data.
• Research and Team Support
• Assist in planning and conducting experiments under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and research team.
• Present experimental progress and results during laboratory meetings and contribute to research reports, presentations and publications where appropriate.
• Support onboarding of new laboratory members on established laboratory procedures, safety practices, inventories and workflows.
• Collaborate effectively with laboratory members, core facilities, technical staff, clinicians, computational researchers and external partners.
• Perform other research- and laboratory-related duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator.
  
  

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics or a related discipline.
• Good understanding of laboratory safety and research practices, with strong attention to detail and accurate record-keeping.
• Ability to work independently with appropriate guidance and to contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to use AI tools effectively while maintaining independent judgment and critical thinking.
• Willingness to learn new experimental, sequencing and genomic technologies.
• Candidates with relevant research experience in cancer biology, molecular biology, genomics, cell biology, or related fields will have an advantage.
• Experience in laboratory setup, equipment commissioning, inventory management, procurement or laboratory operations is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture and basic molecular or cellular biology techniques is strongly preferred.
• Experience with DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, cloning, Western blotting, fluorescence microscopy or related laboratory techniques will be advantageous.
• Exposure to sequencing technologies, genomics, transcriptomics, single-cell methods, long-read sequencing or spatial transcriptomics is advantageous.
• Basic familiarity with bioinformatics, R, Python or genomic data analysis will be advantageous.
  
  

Research Environment

Laboratory Operations

• Lab setup and commissioning; procurement and vendor coordination; inventory management; safety and compliance; practical problem solving.
  
  

Cellular & Molecular Biology

• Mammalian cell culture; cell-line organisation and maintenance; PCR/qPCR; DNA/RNA workflows; imaging and other routine molecular/cellular assays.
  
  

Sequencing & Genomics

• Sample and library preparation; sequencing workflow support; sample QC and tracking; basic handling and organisation of genomic data.
  
  

Organisation & Communication

• Accurate documentation; clear communication with vendors, facilities and research teams; ability to prioritise and coordinate multiple laboratory tasks.
  
  

Collaboration & Learning

• Ability to work across wet-lab and computational disciplines and rapidly learn new experimental and genomic technologies.
  
  

How To Apply

Please submit your application with the following:

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• A brief statement outlining your research experience, interests, and motivation
• Contact details of 2-3 referees
  
  

Req ID: 34492