Scientist (Monoclonal Antibody Discovery), A*IDL

Job Summary

A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (ASTAR IDL) is seeking a Principal Scientist (Scientific Lead of A*STAR High Containment BSL-3 Facility) to join us in our mission to be a leading centre of infectious diseases research. A*STAR IDL aims to develop a cohesive A*STAR response to drive and deliver translational infectious diseases research to better health and economic outcomes.

The Principal Scientist (Scientific Lead of A*STAR High Containment BSL-3 Facility) will lead an independent research programme in high-containment infectious diseases while providing scientific leadership to strengthen the research capabilities, scientific programmes and utilisation of the A*STAR High Containment BSL-3 Facility. The role will identify emerging research needs, develop new research capabilities and platforms, and foster strategic collaborations to advance high-containment research and pandemic preparedness.

Job Description:

• Lead conceptual and technical integration of research programmes leveraging the A*STAR High Containment BSL-3 Facility, with focus on high-containment infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness, to provide leading-edge scientific solutions.
• Establish and lead an independent research programme in infectious diseases, while developing research capabilities, platforms and methodologies to strengthen the scientific capacity of the A*STAR High Containment BSL-3 Facility.
• Identify and develop new research technologies, platforms, patents and publications to address emerging needs in high-containment infectious diseases research.
• Provide scientific leadership in assessing and prioritising research programmes and projects that leverage the A*STAR High Containment BSL-3 Facility, in alignment with scientific priorities and available capabilities.
• Drive scientific utilisation of the A*STAR High Containment BSL-3 Facility by developing research programmes, establishing collaborations and attracting high-quality internal and external research projects.
• Develop scientific proposals, secure research funding and establish collaborations with academic, industry and public health partners to expand the research portfolio and capabilities of the A*STAR High Containment BSL-3 Facility.
• Manage a dedicated research team and provide scientific and career mentorship to researchers and students, while fostering a collaborative and high-performing research environment.

Job Requirements

• PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Life Sciences, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Infectious Diseases, Immunology or related field as above
• Minimum of 8-10 years of post-PhD relevant experience

Other Requirements (e.g. Skills, Competencies)

• Strong research background in infectious diseases, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and/or genomics, with experience relevant to high-containment research.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead independent research programmes, generate strong research ideas and secure research funding.
• Demonstrated experience in developing research capabilities, technologies, platforms and/or methodologies to address emerging scientific needs.
• Strong analytical, technical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate scientific opportunities into research programmes and collaborations.
• Strong team leadership and scientific mentorship skills, with the ability to build and lead a high-performing research team.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Good spoken and written communication skills.

The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notifiedJob Summary

The Antimicrobial Biologics Laboratory headed by Dr Matthew Tay at the A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR IDL), Singapore, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to develop next-generation antibody and receptor-based therapeutics against emerging viral and bacterial pathogens.

Our laboratory works at the interface of antibody discovery, protein engineering, virology, structural biology and translational infectious disease research. We are particularly interested in identifying broadly protective antibodies and receptor-based biologics that remain effective against diverse and evolving pathogens.

The successful candidate will contribute to several interconnected research programmes, including:

• development of broadly reactive monoclonal antibody libraries against coronaviruses, with the goal of enabling rapid antibody discovery against future emerging viruses;
• discovery and mechanistic characterization of monoclonal antibodies and their target antigens against Klebsiella pneumoniae and other antimicrobial-resistant bacterial pathogens; and
• development of new approaches for high-throughput discovery and characterization of therapeutic biologics.

Job Description

The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator and collaborators to design and execute research programmes in antibody and biologics discovery.

Responsibilities include:

• Discover and characterize monoclonal antibodies from immune B cell libraries.
• Investigate antibody target antigens and epitopes through co-IP/mass spec
• Investigate antibody target epitopes through mutagenesis, competition assays, structural approaches and/or computational analysis.
• Characterize antibody-antigen and receptor-virus interactions using techniques such as SDS-PAGE, ELISA, BLI/SPR or related methods.
• Design, express and characterize viral antigens, host receptors, antibody fragments and engineered receptor decoys to improve affinity, breadth, stability or resistance to viral escape.
• Work with collaborators across virology, structural biology, computational biology, animal models and translational development.
• Prepare manuscripts, presentations, patent disclosures and research proposals.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the scientific development of the laboratory.

Opportunities

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• lead scientifically ambitious projects addressing emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance;
• gain experience across antibody discovery, protein engineering, functional screening and translational biologics development with potential for intellectual property protection and downstream translation;
• build an independent research profile through publications, presentations, collaborations and project leadership.

We particularly welcome candidates who enjoy working across traditional disciplinary boundaries and who are motivated by the challenge of translating molecular discoveries into new approaches for preventing and treating infectious diseases.

Qualifications

A PhD in virology, immunology, structural biology, protein biochemistry, protein engineering, antibody engineering, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related discipline.

Skills and Competencies

• Experience with monoclonal antibody isolation and characterization
• Experience with co-IP/mass spec for antigen identification
• Experience with structural virology will be an asset
• Highly motivated and able to work and learn independently
• Team player with good interpersonal and communication skills