Project Overview

SMART CAMP (Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine) is an interdisciplinary research programme in Singapore (CREATE international research campus and innovation hub) and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). SMART CAMP addresses key technology bottlenecks in cell therapy manufacturing: (i) critical quality attributes (CQA) of safe, effective cell therapy products; and (ii) integrated process analytics to monitor and modulate those attributes. Our efforts are focused on allogeneic and autologous cell therapy products, including but not limited to cell sources including adult stem/progenitor cells and immune cells for treatment of specific cancers, tissue degeneration, and autoimmune diseases.

This interdisciplinary team comprises engineers, biologists, clinicians, manufacturing, and data analytics experts from multiple MIT academic units, and multiple Singapore-based universities, research centres of excellence, and hospitals who are experienced at translational demonstrations of technologies in safety-regulated industries such as cell therapies.

Job Description

One of the key challenges in deploying cell therapies is the development of analytical assays to ensure their safety for administration. CAMP is developing assays to detect bacterial and viral contaminants, quantify vector copy numbers (VCN), and detect replication-competent lentivirus (RCL) in cell therapy products. This project focuses on innovative technologies for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection and quantification.

The main responsibilities include:

• Lead the development and implementation of VCN, RCL, and adventitious virus detection using CAMP-developed CRISPR/Argonaute-based detection and quantification methods.
• Design, conduct, and validate performance testing of CRISPR/Argonaute-based detection methods using diverse sample sources, including cultured bacteria, viruses, cells, and clinical specimens.
• Collaborate with cross-functional CAMP teammates and the broader Singapore academic and cell manufacturing communities, including engineers, clinicians, GMP manufacturers, and industry partners.
• Prepare and publish research manuscripts based on project findings.
• Contribute to intellectual property development, including patent applications for related work.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of protocols, experimental records, and data.

Job Requirements

Ph.D. degree in Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Analytical Chemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field.

Experience in nucleic acid detection technologies, CRISPR-based diagnostics, or molecular assay development is highly preferred.

Strong expertise in molecular biology techniques, including PCR, qPCR, digital PCR, and isothermal amplification.

Excellent scientific writing skills for manuscript preparation and patent applications.

Strong organizational and documentation skills to maintain protocols and data records.

Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.

Interested applicants are invited to send in their full CV/resume, cover letter and list of three references (to include reference names and contact information). We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.