The Hwei-Ee Tan lab studies the fundamental biological basis of “gut-feelings”, how bacteria in the gut signals to the host to influence physiology and behaviour. Using mice as a mammalian model, the lab investigates how diet (e.g. high-fibre food, spicy food, etc) modulates the gut microbiome and host phenotypes (e.g. hunger, anxiety behaviours, etc). Besides supporting curiosity-driven basic research on the gut-brain axis, his lab is also studying the brain-gut axis, to uncover host-microbe interactions in chronic stress and major depressive disorders. His lab’s work is multidisciplinary, the research scope covers diverse skills from molecular biology to systems neuroscience, physiology and behaviour. With huge research support and recognition from the National Research Foundation Singapore from 2024, his lab at NTU LKCMedicine is actively recruiting talented postdoctoral research fellows, research assistants, and interns, and also open to sponsoring motivated PhD/Masters students.
The applicant should be exceptionally self-motivated, a team player, willing to assist with essential lab duties and learn new skills and is expected to have relevant experience in one or more of these areas (e.g. mice/rodent handling, animal surgery and dissection, single cell RNA-seq, microbiome analysis, etc). A candidate with proficiency and flair in bioinformatics is preferred. The research assistant will learn and assist with a range of work, including but not limited to molecular biology and histology procedures, microscopy, rodent behavioural assays, neuroscience optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques, functional recording and calcium imaging, mice surgery, data analysis and presentation, lab maintenance and office/administrative help.
The applicant should:
- Hold a Master degree in Biology or relevant disciplines
- Have a keen interest in the lab’s research theme on the microbiome gut brain biology
- Be proficient in immunohistochemistry (IHC), confocal microscopy, and related techniques
- Be proficient in mice brain dissection, peripheral ganglia/nerve surgery and dissection e.g. DRG, transcardiac perfusion
- Have ample rodent (mice) handling experience, and competent in colony management and animal behavioural studies
- Be proficient in microbiological techniques and in vitro cell culture techniques
- Be highly motivated and conscientious
- Work independently, and also have the ability to work effectively in a team
- Possess strong scientific writing skills
- Have good organizational, verbal and interpersonal skills
