"Research Fellow (Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences)"

Job Description

The laboratory of Professor Giorgia Pastorin at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is currently recruiting a (Postdoctoral) Research Fellow.

We are seeking for a motivated and competent post-doctoral fellow to work on funded research project aimed at deciphering the roles of MOAP-1 in cellular senescence and ageing-associated disorders in liver. Long term goal of the project is to gain novel insights towards developing viable approaches for mitigating development and progression of liver NAFLD-associated liver diseases including MASH and HCC, as well as developing novel nanoformulations that enhance the accumulation of actives at the disease site.

Successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team as well as collaborators in Singapore and overseas.

To facilitate a better understanding of the work being pursued in the laboratory, prospective applicants can refer to the following papers:

1. K.O. Tan et al., MAP-1 is a mitochondrial effector of Bax, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 102: 14623-14688, 2005. (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0503524102)
2. N.Y. Fu et al., Inhibition of ubiquitin-mediated degradation of MOAP-1 by apoptotic stimuli promotes Bax function in mitochondria, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 104: 10051-10056, 2007. (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0700007104)
3. N.Y. Fu et al., Baxbeta: a constitutively active human Bax isoform that is under tight regulatory control by the proteasomal degradation mechanism, Molecular Cell, 33: 15-29, 2009. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2008.11.025)
4. S.K. Sukumaran et al., A soluble form of the pilus protein FimA targets the VDAC-hexokinase complex at mitochondria to inhibit host cell apoptosis, Molecular Cell, 37: 768-783, 2010. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2010.02.015)
5. C.T. Tan et al., MOAP-1 Mediates Fas-Induced Apoptosis in Liver by Facilitating tBid Recruitment to Mitochondria, Cell Reports, 16:174-85, 2016. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2016.05.068)
6. C.T. Tan et al., MOAP-1-mediated dissociation of p62/SQSTM1 bodies releases Keap1 and suppresses Nrf2 signaling, EMBO Reports, 22: e50854, 2021. (https://doi.org/10.15252/embr.202050854)
7. H.C. Chang et al., The BAX-binding protein MOAP1 associates with LC3 and promotes closure of the phagophore, Autophagy, 2021. (https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2021.1896157)
8. C.T. Tan et al., p62/SQSTM1 in liver diseases: the usual suspect with multifarious identities. FEBS J, 290: 892-912, 2023. (https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16317)

Responsibilities include:

• Planning and execution of experiments.
• Collect and analyze research data.
• Guiding and working with junior staffs, including graduate/undergraduate students.
• Participation in preparation of manuscripts and other reports.
• Uphold research integrity and ensure safety compliance.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described therein.

Interested candidates please submit a detailed curriculum vitae, contact information of 3 referees and indicate your earliest availability.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Qualifications

Qualifications / Discipline:

• Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cancer Biology or other related fields is preferred.

Skills:

• Good communication skills and a team player.
• Effective oral and written management communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Other desirable attributes: self-motivated, organized, meticulous, efficient, and flexible.

Experience:

• Applicants with research experiences of at least 4 years