Job Description

RESEARCH ASSISTANT
You will provide general laboratory support services for research projects conducted at the Infectious Disease Research Laboratory (IDRL) at NCID, including laboratory investigations and day-to-day management of laboratory activities at NCID and collaborator sites.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SPECIFIC

• Conduct wet-bench work such as sample processing and storage, bacterial culture, PCR, nucleic acid extraction, library preparation and sequencing.
• Maintain inventory list of samples and related metadata.
• Optimization of sample processing and library preparation workflows.
• Recognize, identify, and troubleshoot problems related to specimens, methods and instrumentation.
• Procurement of consumables and reagents required, as well as ensuring depleting stocks are replenished.
• Assist in manuscript preparation.

GENERAL

• Adhere to all general hospital and laboratory policies and other directives as issued.
• Comply with research ethics and patient confidentiality.
• Comply with all safety regulations and infection control policies/procedures stipulated by the laboratory/institute.
• Help promote a working environment of collegiality and teamwork.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator/Team Lead.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION

• Minimum Bachelor's in Life Sciences, Molecular Biology or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

• At least 1 year of lab-related work experience in microbiological and molecular wet-bench techniques (including sample processing and storage, bacterial culture, PCR, nucleic acid extraction) would be an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Astute critical thinking skills and willingness to learn.
• Prior experience in publication of research findings would be an advantage.

Skills Required