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Research Assistant/Associate, Data Science/ Artificial Intelligence - Job Opportunity at Nanyang Technological University

Novena, Singapore
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 19, 2025
On-site
SGD 55,000 - 75,000 per year (USD 40,000 - 55,000). Research positions in Singapore's academic sector typically offer competitive compensation packages, with this role likely positioned at the higher end due to the specialized genomic data science requirements and the institution's international standing.

Benefits

Opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking cancer research with direct patient impact through precision medicine initiatives
Access to cutting-edge genomic datasets and advanced computational resources including cloud computing and high-performance computing environments
International collaboration opportunities with leading research institutions and access to global research networks
Professional development through manuscript publication, conference presentations, and grant application experience
Career advancement within a prestigious academic medical institution undergoing strategic transformation

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive data harmonization initiatives by ingesting, cleaning, and merging complex heterogeneous genomic and phenotypic datasets from multiple Asian cohorts, directly impacting population health research outcomes
Drive statistical genetics research through advanced GWAS/WGS analyses and polygenic score construction, contributing to the understanding of cancer susceptibility across Asian populations
Provide collaborative leadership by coordinating with international research partners to facilitate strategic data sharing agreements and meta-analysis efforts that advance global cancer research
Develop and validate innovative machine learning cancer risk models that will potentially transform early detection and prevention strategies in clinical practice
Generate high-impact scientific contributions through manuscript preparation, research presentations, and grant applications that secure funding for continued research excellence

Requirements

Education

Bachelor or Master degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Data Science

Experience

Hands on experience with variant calling/QC, GWAS, polygenic score or risk model development

Required Skills

Proficiency in Python, R, or other data science languages Hands on experience with variant calling/QC, GWAS, polygenic score or risk model development Knowledge of cloud computing, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments Strong ability to present findings and collaborate across disciplines
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The convergence of artificial intelligence and precision medicine is creating unprecedented opportunities in cancer research, with genomic data science becoming increasingly critical for developing personalized treatment approaches. Academic medical institutions are investing heavily in computational biology infrastructure to support large-scale genomic studies that can identify population-specific cancer risk factors. Asian genomic representation in global cancer databases remains significantly underrepresented, creating a strategic imperative for institutions like NTU to lead population-specific research initiatives. This gap represents both a scientific necessity and a competitive advantage for researchers specializing in Asian genomic data analysis. The integration of electronic health records with genomic data is transforming epidemiological research methodologies, requiring professionals who can navigate complex data harmonization challenges across multiple healthcare systems and research institutions.

Role Significance

Likely embedded within a research team of 8-12 members including principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and other research staff, with this role serving as a key technical lead for data science and computational analysis components.
This position represents a mid-level research role with significant independent research responsibilities and collaborative leadership elements. The dual Research Assistant/Associate designation suggests flexibility based on candidate experience, with opportunities for advanced analytical work and international partnership coordination indicating substantial autonomy and impact potential.

Key Projects

Large-scale multi-cohort genomic studies integrating whole genome sequencing data from diverse Asian populations to identify novel cancer susceptibility loci Development and validation of population-specific polygenic risk scores for various cancer types using machine learning approaches Cross-institutional data harmonization projects requiring coordination with international research partners and standardization of analytical pipelines

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to manage complex, heterogeneous datasets while maintaining data quality and integrity standards essential for reproducible research outcomes Strong communication skills for effectively collaborating with diverse stakeholders including clinicians, statisticians, and international research partners who may have varying technical backgrounds Adaptability to rapidly evolving computational methodologies and willingness to stay current with emerging trends in genomic data science and machine learning applications Project management capabilities to coordinate multiple concurrent research initiatives while meeting publication and grant submission deadlines

Market Demand

High demand driven by the exponential growth in genomic medicine applications and the critical shortage of professionals who can effectively bridge bioinformatics, statistical genetics, and clinical research domains.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced proficiency in Python and R programming languages is essential as these are the primary tools for genomic data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning implementation in research environments. The ability to write efficient, reproducible code for handling large-scale genomic datasets directly impacts research productivity and collaboration effectiveness. Hands-on experience with genomic variant calling and quality control processes is crucial because these foundational skills ensure data integrity in downstream analyses. Errors in variant calling can propagate through entire research projects, making this expertise fundamental to producing reliable scientific results. Statistical genetics knowledge, particularly GWAS methodologies and polygenic score construction, represents core competencies that differentiate qualified candidates in this specialized field. These skills are directly applicable to the primary research objectives and cannot be easily substituted or learned quickly on the job.

Beneficial Skills

Experience with cloud computing platforms and containerization technologies would significantly enhance productivity and enable scalable analysis of large genomic datasets across distributed computing environments Knowledge of clinical data standards and electronic health record systems would facilitate the integration of genomic and clinical data, expanding research impact and clinical translation potential Grant writing and scientific communication skills would accelerate career progression and increase opportunities for independent research leadership and funding acquisition

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work with one of the largest and most comprehensive Asian genomic datasets, providing unique insights into population-specific cancer genetics that are underrepresented in global research
Direct involvement in the institutional transformation as NTU transitions from a joint medical school partnership to independent operations, offering exposure to strategic academic planning and development
Integration with Singapore's national precision medicine initiatives and potential collaboration with government-funded genomic research programs
Access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and cloud computing resources specifically designed for large-scale genomic analysis

Career Growth

Progression to senior roles typically achievable within 3-5 years with demonstrated research productivity, publication record, and successful grant funding contributions, accelerated by the high-demand nature of genomic data science expertise.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Research Scientist or Principal Research Scientist positions within academic medical centers or pharmaceutical companies focusing on precision medicine initiatives Computational Biology Director roles in biotechnology companies developing genomic-based diagnostic or therapeutic products Academic faculty positions as Assistant Professor in departments of bioinformatics, computational biology, or precision medicine Industry positions as Senior Data Scientist or Principal Scientist in pharmaceutical companies' genomic medicine divisions

Company Overview

Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technological University represents one of Asia's premier research institutions with significant investment in medical education and biomedical research infrastructure. The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine's partnership with Imperial College London and transition to independent operations demonstrates institutional commitment to becoming a leading medical education hub in Southeast Asia.

NTU consistently ranks among the top universities globally and holds particular strength in engineering, technology, and increasingly in medical sciences. The medical school's focus on integrating artificial intelligence and precision medicine positions it at the forefront of medical education innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Singapore's strategic position as a biomedical research hub in Asia, combined with government investment in precision medicine initiatives, creates an optimal environment for genomic research. The institution's location in Novena places it within Singapore's medical district, facilitating collaboration with major healthcare institutions.
Academic research environment emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and international partnerships, with strong support for professional development and research excellence. The institution's multicultural setting and English-language operations facilitate seamless integration for international researchers.
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