Research Associate/Research Associate (Senior)

Job Description

The Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (“COP”) was launched in June 2022, with a vision to advance and enhance regional health security across Asia. COP hosts the secretariat for the Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative (“Asia PGI”) which acts as a regional coordination and capacity development platform supporting 14 countries across South and Southeast Asia. Asia PGI aims to accelerate the application of pathogen genomic sequencing to enhance outbreak preparedness and response capacity across this region. Its main workstreams support efforts in early detection through training in laboratory genomics and bioinformatics via the Asia PGI Academy at Duke-NUS, the development of novel outbreak response tools including diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, health system enhancement through effective policy and planning for diseases surveillance and response systems that include genomics, and addressing key enabling environment factors including legal, regulatory and supply chain issues. 

We are recruiting a Research Associate / Research Associate (Senior) to provide support to COP and Asia PGI and its associated activities. 

The selected candidate will be expected to work collaboratively across functional departments at Duke-NUS Medical School and with key internal and external stakeholders. The incumbent should ideally be comfortable working in a matrixed team and be ready to work in a fast-moving, fast-changing and dynamic environment. The responsibilities of the role are to perform various activities which include managing external interactions, tracking projects and drafting meeting reports under the supervision of the Director, COP or his/her designate, including but not limited to the following: -

• Act as a cross-cutting technical resource to faculty and research staff working across COP with the aim of providing coherence across workstreams.
• Prepare technical reports and analyses relating to key workstreams.
• Translate scientific content into accessible communications-oriented materials for the COP website and social media.
• Conduct independent research on key catalytic areas as required.
• Manage and follow-up with external partners and internal departments for review of agreements and grants.
• Track externally funded research budgets of the laboratory and provide administrative support for grant applications and post-grant award.
• Oversee multiple projects through monitoring the progress and keeping track of timelines.
• Manage collaborations with partners in Singapore and externally within the region.
• Manage project finance, budget, records, grant administration and policy interpretation processes to ensure smooth operations on a short and long range basis. 
• Work across functions with peers and other departments to ensure collaboration for shared goals.
• Maintain proper filing and documentation of all areas of work functions such as agreements and grants.
• Assist in the setting up of meetings and minutes writing. 
• Perform other general administrative or related duties incidental to the work or as assigned by Director, COP in coordination with the Deputy Director, COP.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Life Sciences or other related fields with at least 5 years of work experience and 2 years of experience in global health related issues.
• Prior experience in a research/academic environment or with global health institutions supporting project management would be advantageous.
• Possess scientific background knowledge relevant to the research area and laboratory experimental skills.  
• Have a positive attitude and able to relate well with all levels of staff and students.
• Resourceful, meticulous and a team-player who can handle confidential information with discretion.
• Have excellent communications and interpersonal skills, with good command of written and spoken English as the candidate needs to liaise with collaborators.  
• Proficient in administrative skills, Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power-point) and Adobe Acrobat (PDF).

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.