Research Fellow (3D-printing & Scaffold Design for Drug/Gene delivery in Tissue Engineering)

NTU LKC Nutrition, Metabolic and Microbiome Medicine is a research programme that sits in the epicentre of the Novena Health City to reflect our research and clinical partnerships within as well as outside Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) and the National Healthcare Group (NHG). The key objective is to support efforts to understand the developmental and environmental basis of obesity, diabetes, related gut and metabolic disorders and to translate this understanding into disease alleviation and prevention so as to maximise our human potential. Our laboratory is located at Clinical Science Building (CSB) at the Novena campus of Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.

Responsibilities:

. Design and characterize novel biodegradable, biocompatible materials and tissue scaffolds with controlled drug delivery capabilities for neural tissue engineering & stem cell engineering.

. Design, optimize and fabricate tissue scaffolds (e.g. hydrogels, injectable scaffolds, electrospinning, 3D printing)

. Characterize scaffold properties: physical characteristics, drug/gene release kinetics, cell/tissue interactions, etc.

. Design and execute experiments independently.

. Expected to interpret experimental results, and author papers in high-quality journals in areas that are related to the research.

. Demonstrate excellent communication skills and have a strong passion and commitment to science.

. Work closely with the Principal Investigator to help supervise and train junior lab members and to ensure smooth functioning of an active research program.

. Expected to work in a collaborative inter-institute environment.

. The candidate will have the opportunity to explore his/her own interests across functions.

Requirements:
. Ph.D. level scientist with relevant background and experience.

. Published experience in biomaterials scaffold design, fabrication and characterization, controlled drug/gene delivery design and characterization in neural tissue engineering or soft tissue engineering.

. Published experience in evaluation of cellular response/interactions/functionality with scaffolds using western blotting, immunostaining, qPCR, fluorescent microscopy (confocal) imaging, functional assays.

. At least 2 years experience in 3D printing.

. Strong ability to communicate effectively orally and in written form.

. Strong ability to perform independent, self-directed work.

. Strong organizational skills and proactive personality with outstanding motivation, creativity, critical and analytical thinking skills, strong scientific commitment and ability to work as a team.