Research Assistant (Translational Biobanking), Mandai Nature - 3 Year Contract

Mandai Nature is a successful Singapore-based non-profit conservation organisation jointly set up by Temasek and Mandai Wildlife Group (which manages zoological parks including Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Rainforest Wild and Bird Paradise). Mandai Nature is the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group and was established with the aim of advancing efforts on biodiversity protection in Singapore and Asia. Through impactful programmes and innovative partnerships Mandai Nature strives to protect nature and inspire action.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Routine laboratory and experimental support

• Assist the postdoctoral fellow with routine preparation, set-up and clean-up of experiments according to approved protocols and instructions.

• Prepare reagents, buffers, media, consumables, labels and simple worksheets required for assigned cell culture, molecular biology or sample-processing workflows.

• Carry out routine laboratory tasks such as sample labelling, basic measurements, aliquoting, centrifugation, reagent preparation, equipment booking and post-experiment clean-up.

• Receive, label, process, aliquot, catalogue, store and retrieve wildlife-derived samples under supervision and according to established biobank SOPs.

• Support cryopreservation, recovery, viability checks, freezer/liquid nitrogen inventory updates and sample movement documentation as assigned.

• Maintain sample traceability using approved spreadsheets, databases, barcodes, labels, notebooks or inventory systems.

• Assist with routine cell culture support, including preparation of media, cultureware, reagents, passaging support, cryopreservation preparation and microscopy checks as instructed.

• Perform basic molecular biology or cell biology procedures within competency, such as DNA/RNA extraction support, PCR preparation, gel set-up, immunostaining preparation, basic microscopy imaging or data file organisation.

• Record observations clearly and escalate abnormal findings, contamination concerns, low viability or failed assays to the postdoctoral fellow.

• Monitor stocks of routine consumables, reagents, PPE and laboratory supplies and alert the postdoctoral fellow or laboratory manager when replenishment is required.

• Support equipment cleaning, routine maintenance checks, booking, calibration reminders and fault reporting according to laboratory procedures.

• Maintain a clean, tidy and safe work environment in assigned laboratory areas
  

2. Data entry, documentation and basic reporting

• Enter experimental observations, sample metadata, inventory updates and QC measurements into approved records or databases

• Maintain laboratory notebooks, forms, checklists, spreadsheets and file organisation for assigned work.

• Assist with compiling tables, images, inventory summaries and basic progress updates for review by the postdoctoral fellow.
  

3. Safety, compliance and SOP adherence

• Follow biosafety, chemical safety, sample-handling, waste-disposal, PPE and institutional laboratory procedures at all times.

• Use only approved protocols and do not independently alter methods, sample use or experimental design without instruction.

• Report incidents, deviations, contamination risks, inventory discrepancies and safety concerns promptly.
  

4. Team support and communication

• Work closely with the postdoctoral fellow, research assistants, interns, students, laboratory manager and Principal Investigator as part of the translational biobanking team

• Attend lab meetings or project discussion where required and provide factual updates on assigned tasks, sample status or inventory matters.

• Support workshops, demonstrations, visitor preparation or training activities through practical set-up and laboratory logistics when required.
  

Job Requirements:

• Diploma, Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training in Biological Sciences, Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Laboratory Technology, Veterinary Science or a related field.

• Candidates with strong hands-on laboratory experience but without a degree may be considered where they demonstrate suitable technical competency and reliability.

• Training in biosafety, chemical safety, laboratory animal/sample handling, cryogenic safety, cell culture, molecular biology or biobank data systems would be advantageous.

• Prior experience in a research laboratory, diagnostic laboratory, biobank, cell culture laboratory, molecular biology laboratory or related life-science setting is preferred.

• Experience with sample processing, labelling, inventory tracking, reagent preparation, basic microscopy, cell culture support, DNA/RNA extraction support, PCR set-up or cryopreservation support would be relevant.

• Experience maintaining laboratory records, equipment logs, stock lists, spreadsheets, databases or electronic laboratory notebooks would be advantageous.

• Experience supporting senior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, students or laboratory managers in routine experimental and operational work would be useful.

• No independent publication, grant-writing or project-leadership track record is required, as this role supports assigned laboratory and biobanking workflows under supervision.

• Reliable, careful and detail-oriented, especially with sample labels, records, inventory and routine laboratory procedures.

• Able to follow instructions and SOPs consistently while asking for clarification when needed.

• Practical, hands-on and willing to support routine but important laboratory work.

• Organised and able to manage multiple assigned tasks without losing accuracy.

• Collaborative and respectful, with ability to support the postdoctoral fellow and wider lab team constructively.

• Committed to laboratory ethics, biosafety, research integrity and responsible use of endangered species biomaterials.

• Able to work flexible hours when required by sample availability, processing deadlines or laboratory workflow

• Working knowledge of basic laboratory practice, biosafety, PPE, aseptic technique, sample labelling, record keeping and safe handling of biological materials.

• Basic practical skills in life-science laboratory workflows such as pipetting, buffer/reagent preparation, centrifugation, aliquoting, microscopy support, sample processing and routine equipment use.

• Familiarity with cell culture, tissue handling, cryopreservation, molecular biology or biobanking workflows would be advantageous.

• Ability to follow SOPs, work instructions and checklists accurately without independently changing protocols or experimental design.

• Good organisational skills for inventory tracking, data entry, file management, laboratory notebooks and sample traceability.

• Basic computer skills, including spreadsheets, word processing, shared folders and simple data-entry systems.

• Clear communication skills to report task status, observations, deviations and issues to the postdoctoral fellow and laboratory team.