SCOPE
The Research Associate will be assisting the head of research unit in the establishment of a new programs on solid cancers particularly those that disproportionately affect the Asian population. Specifically, the scientist will be working closely on analysis of tumour tissues and the establishment of new cancer cell line models. The scientist will be responsible for characterising the newly established models, comparing and contrasting the new and existing models by genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and immunomics means. These models will be enable the wider team to comprehensively map out the cancer dependency for Asian cancers using genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen and identification of cancer genes that can be exploited as therapeutic targets. Besides working closely with the Translational Cancer Biology unit for the above programme, the scientist will also work closely with study coordinators of the programme, coordinating sample collection from study sites. He/she will also be conducting and documenting molecular analysis on these models and tumor tissues.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- To assist in establishing the study design, conducting pilot studies and writing the ethics application and grant application to take forward this programme.
- To ensure that research programmes meet external and internal milestones, and to be responsible for drafting and submitting the necessary reports.
- To ensure that the collaborations are established and maintained to meet agreed external and internal milestones.
- To supervise and mentor junior staff, students and other internal as well as external scientists, as and when required.
- Other responsibilities include:
- To deputise for the Head of Research Unit when appropriate.
- To represent Cancer Research Malaysia when appropriate.
- To take responsibility for designated projects as necessary.
- To undertake other administrative tasks as required.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
- Educated to post-graduate degree level (Masters or PhD), with relevant experience in cell and molecular biology. Knowledge on nasopharyngeal and/or colorectal cancer would be an advantage.
- Demonstrated skill in handling data, and successfully presenting the data both in spoken (conference) or written (publication) form.
- Experience in study design and grant writing is an advantage.
- Driven by a strong sense of making an impact, with problem solving skills, including conflict resolution skills.
- The ability to prioritise own workload and work to deadlines.
- Adopts a pro-active attitude to work.
- Assumes full responsibilities within role.
- Passion for CRMY's mission.
About the Company
Cancer Research Malaysia
We are an independent and non-profit cancer research organisation based in Malaysia. Funded by donations and research grants, we conduct research in niche cancers often found in our Asian population.
Cancer — the big ‘C’ — continues to be a stigma, only spoken about in hushed whispers; how it’s bad karma, how much it costs, and that nothing could be done.
Confronting this stigma head on, CRM has been reversing this language of cancer, transforming the big ‘C’ to a little ‘c’, and we plan to develop tools backed by good research to ensure that we can truly fight cancer on all fronts.
We believe that we will reverse the grip of cancer in our lives. We want researchers to win the war against cancer by turning it around with new ways of prevention and cure. We want to empower the public through impactful outreach programmes, with the hopes that Malaysians will respond differently to cancer by coming forward for screenings and going through with treatments.
Our driving force is held together by these goals:
- Improving the survival rates of Asian cancer patients, focusing on neglected areas of research.
- Empowering Asians to have the proper screening and treatment.
- Improving survival rates by being more accessible, focusing on providing existing cures to patients rather than sit on inaction and potentially losing lives.
- Making affordable and timely treatments by repurposing drugs, acknowledging the reality that developing new cures are costly and risky.
- Putting Malaysia in the global spotlight for cancer research by collaborating with top scientists around the world,and working to nurture the next generation of Malaysian cancer researchers.