Research Associate/PhD candidate (Analytical Chemistry/Liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry - LC-MS)
TUMCREATE
- Singapore
- Contract
- Full-time
Posted Date: 5 March 2024
Closing Date: Open until filled
Hours: Full Time
Duration: Fixed termAbout TUMCREATETUMCREATE is a multidisciplinary research platform of the Technical University Munich (TUM) at the Singapore Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE). We are joining forces with universities, public agencies, and industry for the advancement of future technologies. TUMCREATE works in close collaboration Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and with other Singapore research institutes.Our research projects “Proteins for Singapore” and “Aquacycle” aim to develop novel protein foods with excellent nutritional and sensorial properties from a variety of starting materials including soy, algae and aquacultural side products. Our long-term aim is to develop processes that will assist Singapore in producing 30% of our nutritional needs locally by 2030 and building a more resilient food future. The TUMCREATE analytical lab works to quantify nutritional and potentially harmful compounds to ensure our products produced are of the highest nutritional quality and safety.Please visit www.tum-create.edu.sg for more information about TUMCREATE.About the role:We are looking for a Research Associate/PhD candidate to quantify vitamins and mycotoxins by LC-MS in foods and related materials and develop improved extraction and analytical methods. The candidate should be experienced in analytical science, but training will be provided for candidate who has not previously worked with LC-MS.Potential PhD projects:Novel high protein foods: Optimising nutrition and safetyAim: To quantify vitamins/mycotoxins in novel soy or algal high protein food produced by TUMCREATE via indoor farming/ extrusion/ fermentation processes. The candidate will utilise these findings in collaboration with food and plant scientists to improve product safety and nutrition.Mycotoxins and Microbiota: Determining how the human gut microbiota may increase or decrease the dangers of mycotoxins in foodAim: To quantify mycotoxins in fecal material and in material from in-vitro fecal fermentations and explore how gut microbiota inter-convert mycotoxins into safer or more dangerous forms. The candidate will also explore how variance in gut microbial communities within the Singapore population impacts mycotoxin metabolism. Overall, this project would lead to better understand the risks posed by different mycotoxins in Singapore. This project would suit someone with existing bio-informatic experience.Job Responsibilities:
- Sample organisation, labelling and processing (food/protein extracts/faecal material)
- Extraction of metabolites (e.g. vitamins) by SPE (solid phase extraction)
- Analysis of metabolites by LC-MS (mainly using targeted triple-quad methodologies)
- Method validation optimisation and quality control
- Data processing, analysis and statistical processing
- Report writing and publication
- Collaboration with food scientists, microbiologists and botanists
- Master's degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Food Science or related discipline from a reputable university.
- Experience in at least one analytical technique involving preparation of standard curves, pipette technique, randomisation, batch and quality control samples. Prior experience with LC-MS or HPLC is particularly useful.
- Excellent organisational skills
- Basic data handling and statistical ability. Prior experience with metabolic or genetic datasets will be advantageous but is not essential.
- Excellent spoken and written English.
- Competitive salary that commensurate with experience
- Medical insurance
- Good amount of leave/vacation days
- Vibrant, multicultural and flexible working environment in Singapore
- Campus-sited (NUS) office location with a host of facilities
- In-building perks including gym, game room and coffee room