Job Description

The Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (“COP”) at Duke-NUS works across Signature Research Programmes and centres to advance regional health security in low resourced countries across Asia. A key pillar of COP’s outbreak response and preparedness efforts in the region is through strengthening access and capacity for pathogen genomic surveillance. Duke-NUS is the secretariat for the Asian Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Asia PGI), which works with national and academic institutions from 15 countries across the Asian region to improve early detection through pathogen genomics. The Asia PGI Training Academy was recently formed to provide regional participants technical laboratory (wet lab) and bioinformatics (dry lab) training in pathogen genomics. 

The Emerging Infectious Diseases (“EID”) is a Signature Research Programme of Duke-NUS. Through research, EID aims to pioneer the development and discovery of new and more effective methods for the detection, treatment, prevention and control of new and emerging pathogens. EID research work also leads to discovery and testing of new diagnostic tests, treatments and control strategies (such as vaccines). EID is also working towards developing partnerships throughout the region with the development of laboratory and epidemiologic capacity, training scientists and physicians from partnering countries to make Singapore a viable surveillance hub for emerging infectious diseases.

The position of Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow will directly report to Assistant Professor Ruklanthi de Alwis. The position will be a joint position between COP and EID, with the primary role of managing research projects and training in the area of infectious disease surveillance. The position will entail capacity building (training), partner engagement and research in the infectious disease areas of serology, pathogen genomics and diagnostic design, including but not limited to the following: -

• Work closely with Assistant Professor Ruklanthi de Alwis and her team to ensure that the trainings are managed and executed in an effective and efficient manner, while adhering to all legislative, policy, procedural and scientific guidelines. This work will include coordination of some training and research activities across several programmes within Duke-NUS, other Singapore partners and international experts. This work will involve some travelling for training, research and conference purposes.
• Conduct research in pathogen surveillance (serology and genomics), emergencies and diagnostic development, with a focus on both laboratory and bioinformatic analyses to generate high-quality research data.
• Contribute to virtual learning platforms, including scheduled virtual webinars on pathogen genomics, and ensuring the academy’s database and learning management system content is up-to-date.
• Supervise, train and coordinate work of designated staff on trainings, and research projects.
• Contribute to research, writing and coordinating of grant application process and management of proposals.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein, including contributing to occasional admin and coordination activities.

Qualifications

• PhD in infectious diseases or other related disciplines, with a strong focus on pathogen genomics and bioinformatics.
• Extensive experience working in molecular laboratory and pathogen sequencing is required.
• Prior experience of scripting and/or programming languages and statistical packages is desirable. Experience with Linux/Unix operating systems, high-performance computing clusters, relational database design, and web development is required.
• Prior experience with pathogen genomic epidemiology and modelling is also desirable.
• Prior experience in serological surveillance is also desirable.
• Have  experience training others in pathogen sequencing and/or bioinformatics.
• Possess good technical understanding of pathogen genomics, outbreak preparedness, and surveillance.
• Have international experience, especially in the South Asian and South-East Asian region (ideally LMICs) and proven record of working with multinational teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects efficiently.
• Prior experience in research and grant writing, and able to undertake research assignments with minimal supervision.
• Able to travel occasionally, especially within Asia.
• Possess strong interpersonal, writing and presentation skills, team player, proven record of leading projects, able to work effectively in diverse cultural environments and interact with academia, industry, funders and regulators

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.