Senior Research Officer

Job Description

One position of Research Fellow (RF) or Senior Research Officer is available for a grant project to support the high throughput characterization and non-targeted analysis (NTA) of foodborne protein/peptide hazards. The candidate should have good technical experience in proteomics, mass spectrometry and food chemistry, good knowledge of proteome or protein/peptide, biomarker discovery and interest in working with community partners/stakeholders like government agency, scientific organization and commercial company. The candidate will play key hands-on role(s) and work closely with other members / partners in a multidisciplinary team who specialize in Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Analytical Chemistry and Food Sciences.

Scope & Duties

• Lead the technical aspects of this project and conduct research activities, including method development, data processing and result reporting, while ensuring delivery of project milestones.
• Identify problem statements, generate research hypotheses, recommend technology-based solutions, and/or determine research strategies.
• Drive the proteomics component of the project in a variety of areas, such as sample preparation, instrument analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) (e.g. LC-MS/MS, DDA, DIA, PRM), qualitative and quantitative characterization of foodborne proteins/peptide hazards in various food matrices, hazardous biomarkers discovery and validation, bioinformatic analysis, etc.
• Develop and validate new methodologies for analysis of various potentially new and emerging foodborne proteins / peptide hazards in novel foods and alternative protein-based foods, with the integration of multiple proteomic strategies and workflows like bottom-up, top-/middle-down, and de novo peptide sequencing.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of experimental data and results to support and protect intellectual property.
• Communicate research findings through conference presentations, scientific publications, project reports with diverse stakeholders (e.g. scientific communities, industrial partners, policymakers).
• Organise and maintain proper documentation of research data, scientific interpretations, and project records in accordance with quality and audit requirements.
• Support administrative and operational works, e.g., procurement, project coordination, etc.
• Carry out other assignments as designated by the management.

Qualifications / Other Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/Biochemistry/Analytical Chemistry/Food Science, or related disciplines, with good publication record or at least 2 years of relevant experience in the above-mentioned areas or Masters in the above mentioned domain with 5 years of experience.
• Proficient in the design of research proposals and execution of research projects.
• Hands-on experience in mass spectrometry-based proteomics research, including qualitative identification and quantitative analysis.
• Experience in bioinformatics and/or biostatistics for large datasets analyses is desirable.
• Expertise in research on novel foods or alternative proteins is preferred.
• Highly motivated, self-driven to work independently in a fast-paced environment and able to multi-task.
• Able to co-supervise junior staff or students.
• Good critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills.