Research Associate [LKCMedicine]

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) trains doctors who put patients at the centre of their exemplary care. The School, which offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes, is named after local philanthropist Tan Sri Dato Lee Kong Chian. Established in 2010 by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in partnership with Imperial College London, LKCMedicine aims to be a model for innovative medical education and a centre for transformative research. The School’s primary clinical partner is the National Healthcare Group, a leader in public healthcare recognised for the quality of its medical expertise, facilities and teaching. The School is transitioning to an NTU medical school ahead of the 2028 successful conclusion of the NTU-Imperial partnership to set up a Joint Medical School. In August 2024, we welcomed our first intake of the NTU MBBS programme, that has been recently enhanced to include themes like precision medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with an expanded scope in the medical humanities. Graduates from the five-year undergraduate medical degree programme will have a strong understanding of the scientific basis of medicine, with an emphasis on technology, data science and the humanities.

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to lead the REPLENISH study (Research on Postbiotics, Lifestyle and Nutritional Interventions to Support Brain Health span), which aims to uncover novel microbiome-based biomarkers and therapeutic targets for brain health in Asian populations. The successful candidate will drive research investigating how lifestyle, diet, and peripheral microbiomes (gut, saliva, skin) relate to cognitive aging and neurodegeneration in a multiethnic Southeast Asian context.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate the REPLENISH study, including study design, protocol implementation, and participant management.
• Conduct and oversee sample collection (gut, salivary, skin microbiomes), cognitive testing, retinal imaging and and lifestyle assessments.
• Analyze cross-sectional and longitudinal data linking microbiome profiles with behavioral, cognitive, imaging, and biomarker outcomes.
• Perform data processing, quality checks, and statistical analysis using appropriate tools
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders for multi-omics integration and translational insights.
• Manage data integrity and regulatory compliance, including IRB submissions and SOP adherence.
• Prepare and contribute to grant applications, conference presentations, and scientific publications.

Key Decisions:

• Leads the REPLENISH study, a flagship microbiome–brain health initiative at the Dementia Research Centre.
• Handles and integrates data across multiple domains: microbiome, neuroimaging, retinal imaging, cognitive testing, and blood biomarkers.

Key Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical or cognitive research, preferably in dementia, microbiome, or digital health.
• Skilled in neuropsychological test administration and statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, Python).
• Familiarity with microbiome data or multi-omics integration is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, project coordination, and manuscript writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.