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.

The Hwei-Ee Tan lab studies the fundamental biological basis of “gut-feelings”, how bacteria in the gut signals to the host to influence physiology and behaviour. Using mice as a mammalian model, the lab investigates how diet and microbiome factors modulates host phenotypes (e.g. food reward, anxiety behaviours, etc). Besides supporting curiosity-driven basic research on the gut-brain axis, his lab is also studying the brain-gut axis, to uncover host-microbe interactions. His lab’s work is multidisciplinary, the research scope covers diverse skills from molecular biology to systems neuroscience, physiology and behaviour. With top-tier research support from National Research Foundation Singapore, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD), etc, his lab at NTU LKCMedicine is actively recruiting talented postdoctoral research fellows, research assistants, and interns, and also open to sponsoring motivated PhD/Masters students. Prior to submitting their application, postdoctoral applicants are strongly encouraged to also look up the lab’s website and email the PI with a CV/resume and a cover letter articulating their scientific ambition.

Key Responsibilities:

• The postdoctoral applicant must demonstrate commitment to co-create impactful discoveries in the microbiome gut-brain neuroscience field with us.

• In addition to being exceptionally motivated, having core skills for animal and lab work, and willing to work in our team and help with essential lab duties.

• The candidate must have experience and specialized expertise in multiphoton/ 2-photon in vivo calcium imaging and data analysis, or in gnotobiotic studies and microbiome analysis/bioinformatics.

Key Competencies/Requirements:

• Hold a doctoral (PhD) degree in neuroscience or relevant disciplines with strong publication track record

• Lead impactful work within the lab’s research theme on the microbiome gut brain neuroscience

• Exhibit proficiency in mice/rodent handling, optogenetics and behaviours, animal surgery and dissection

• Demonstrate experience and specialized expertise in multiphoton/ 2-photon in vivo calcium imaging and data analysis, or in gnotobiotic studies and microbiome analysis/bioinformatics

• Be highly motivated and conscientious, able to work independently and with a team, and willing to teach, learn, and assist with essential lab duties