ABOUT THE UNIT:
The Translational Cancer Biology Unit at Cancer Research Malaysia investigates the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying cancers that disproportionately affect Asian populations. The unit focuses on establishing and characterising Asian-derived cancer models to generate biologically and clinically relevant insights, with a particular emphasis on oral cancers and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), to inform improved therapeutic strategies.
JOB SCOPE:
The Graduate Research Assistant (“GRA”) will be responsible for delivering milestones of the research program titled “Building Translational Models for Malaysian NPC: From Molecular Characterization to Therapeutic Targeting”, funded by KPJU Research Grant and CRMY internal funding. Specifically, the GRA will be assisting the principal investigators and co-investigators to study the clinical and genomic features of NPC and determine how these correlate with disease outcomes. These includes conducting retrospective analyses on the survival pattern of patients in relation with disease subtypes, gene signatures, EBV viral load and viral strains. Furthermore, the GRA will also assist in establishing new NPC cell line models that can be used to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. This role involves both data-driven analyses and laboratory-based research, providing the GRA with comprehensive training in translational cancer research. Subjected to funder requirements, the GRA is expected to be enrolled in a Master’s programme at a selected university while being appointed as a GRA under the KPJU-funded project.
Roles and responsibilities include:
1. Retrieve and curate clinical and medical records for retrospective analyses
2. Perform analyses correlating clinical outcomes with disease subtypes, gene signatures, EBV viral load, and viral strain information
3. Conduct laboratory experiments to support the establishment and characterisation of NPC cell line models
4. Maintain accurate, comprehensive experimental records and raw data documentation
5. Ensure high-quality, reproducible data generation
6. Analyse and interpret experimental and clinical data, including troubleshooting and planning follow-up experiments
7. Communicate experimental procedures and findings effectively to the research team
8. Provide general administrative and project support as required
Qualifications:
1. Bachelor’s degree in a biology-related discipline (e.g. biomedical science, biotechnology, molecular biology)
2. Experience in data organisation and basic statistical analysis
3. Hands-on experience in molecular and/or cell biology techniques
4. Ability to present scientific data verbally (e.g. presentations) and in writing (e.g. reports, manuscripts)
5. Strong motivation to contribute to impactful cancer research
6. Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
7. Proactive, responsible, and able to work independently as well as within a team
APPLYAbout 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.