Job Description

The Mechanobiology Institute (MBI), National University of Singapore is seeking to recruit a Research Fellow (RF) to join Dr. Gianluca Grenci’s group, in the framework of a collaborative project with partners from A-STAR and IMRE. The project aims at studying the lipids content in tissue samples and live cells and their correlation with different conditions: “young” and “aged” tissues and different dietary regimes. To this task, we are developing a methodology based on two original elements: we make use of a quantum IR microscope of our own design instead of a standard FTIR IR microscope and we are developing a new kind of microfluidic devices compatible with Vis/IR/UV microscopy for maintaining the live the samples during observation. For more details on these two key aspects and their working principles please refer to [1, 2].

The newly hired RF will be in charge of preparing the biological samples, conducting the characterization and chemical mapping with the quantum IR microscope and analyze the results with the scope of identify markers of different conditions and their possible correlations with pathological outcomes. Since microfluidic devices will be part of the experimental set-up to optimize, familiarity with this technology will be considered as a plus. MBI provides state-of-the-art core facilities both for biological samples preparation and for micro/nano fabrication for biological applications.

[1] Paterova, A.V., Maniam, S.M., Yang, H., Grenci, G., Krivitsky, L.A., Hyperspectral infrared microscopy with visible light (2020) Science Advances, 6 (44), art. no. abd0460

[2] Birarda, G., Ravasio, A., Suryana, M., Maniam, S., Holman, H.-Y.N., Grenci, G. IR-Live: Fabrication of a low-cost plastic microfluidic device for infrared spectromicroscopy of living cells (2016) Lab on a Chip, 16 (9), pp. 1644-1651

Qualifications

• A Ph.D in biological or bio-medical sciences, chemistry, bio-chemistry or related disciplines
• Experience with tissue sections preparation and characterization, cells culture methods and microscopy
• Highly motivated, organized and responsible individuals who can work independently as well as part of a team
• Be prepared to engage in interdisciplinary research and to explore new research directions
• At least basic knowledge about IR spectroscopy and spectro-microscopy
• Welcomed additional skills are: familiarity or know-how in microfluidic/micro-fabrication, bio-medical device, bio-sensors