Job Description

Location:

Singapore

Department:

R&D / Diagnostics

Employment Type:

Full?time

Reports To:

Head of R&D (or delegate)

Company Overview

Forte Biotech develops

field?deployable molecular diagnostics

for aquaculture. Our RAPID platform uses

LAMP/qPCR

chemistry to detect prawn pathogens (e.g.,

WSSV, EHP, AHPND

) on?site within an hour, enabling proactive farm decisions across Southeast Asia.

Role Purpose

Own upstream

nucleic?acid extraction

and downstream

assay validation

to deliver robust, room?temperature?friendly workflows that perform reliably on real farm matrices (shrimp tissue, faeces, pond water). Translate outsourced primer designs into validated assays integrated with RAPID devices (RAPID / RAPID Plus / RAPID Max / RAPID Pro).

Key Responsibilities

A. Nucleic?Acid Extraction

Develop and optimise DNA/RNA extraction protocols across matrices with a target

60?minute

end?to?end workflow. Mitigate

matrix inhibition

(e.g., magnetic?bead clean?ups, spin?column variants, buffer optimisation). Generate SOPs, batch records, QC checklists; maintain controlled revisions for tech transfer.

B. Assay Validation (LAMP/qPCR)

Convert outsourced primer sets into working assays: screen conditions, define positivity thresholds, and execute

LoD

, specificity, repeatability, and cross?reactivity studies. Run

spike?and?recovery

and field?sample studies on multiple matrices; benchmark vs qPCR where applicable. Deliver clear validation reports with plots/tables and go/no?go criteria.

C. Productisation & Stability

Propose reagent and workflow improvements (e.g.,

lyophilisation

feasibility, buffer stabilisers, room?temperature storage). Support accelerated/real?time

stability studies

; help define shelf?life and storage labels. Contribute to

BOM

and manufacturing work instructions.

D. Device-Chemistry Integration

Align assay parameters with RAPID device settings (heater/reader profiles, signal thresholds) for consistent field readouts. Provide inputs for user interpretation (positive/negative/invalid) and troubleshooting trees.

E. Quality, Documentation & Compliance

Maintain high?quality ELN entries and data integrity; prepare ISO?aligned documentation. Assist with

incoming QC

for key reagents and with

batch release criteria

.

F. Cross?Functional Support

Train operations/field teams; support pilot deployments with partners (hatcheries, feed mills, labs). Investigate customer escalations; convert findings into protocol updates.

Minimum Qualifications

Degree in

Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry

or related field (Master's preferred for Scientist level). Hands?on experience with

DNA/RNA extraction

and

qPCR

; familiarity with

LAMP

is advantageous. Strong documentation skills (SOPs/ELN) and working knowledge of basic statistics for assay evaluation.

Experience Bands

Junior Scientist

0-2 years relevant industry/academic experience. Demonstrated lab competence; ready to learn LAMP specifics quickly.

Scientist

3-5+ years relevant experience in diagnostics or molecular assay development. Proven record of optimisation/validation in inhibitor?rich samples and contribution to productisation or stability studies.

Nice?to?Have

Experience with

magnetic?bead

extraction, inhibitor?rich matrices, or

lyophilised

reagent systems. Exposure to

point?of?care

diagnostics or veterinary/aquaculture samples. Basic scripting for data tidying (Excel/Python/R) and familiarity with DoE.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience (Junior Scientist). Medical benefits, paid leave, and performance?linked incentives. Learning budget and opportunities to publish/present where appropriate.

Equal Opportunity:

Forte Biotech is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants regardless of race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or age.