MSD Research Intern - Screening Technologies & 

Singapore, Singapore 

736616133

Job Description

The department's mission is to identify and validate novel targets across various therapeutic areas with multiple discovery biology units.

Over the past decade, mRNA therapeutics have shown promise in a broad range of therapeutic applications, including infectious diseases, genetic disorders, cancer, regenerative medicine, and vaccines. They have gained significant attention and have shown clinical success, especially with the recent development and emergency use authorization of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.

A key feature of mRNA medicines is their high degree of customizability. Optimal production of therapeutic proteins from mRNA medicines requires a thorough understanding of the interplay between nucleotide sequence, nucleotide modification and RNA structure in affecting translational efficiency and mRNA stability. This project aims to establish a workflow to quantify mRNA half-lives in a high throughput manner within cells and to understand how different physiological conditions (within LNPs or

Current Contingent Workers apply

What You Will Do:

The Research Intern will work closely with an assigned scientific supervisor on a lab-based research project in biomedical research.

At the end of the internship, the candidate would:

• Gain hands-on experience with different molecular biology, imaging and analytical techniques
• Develop deeper understanding of steps involved in assay development and the drug discovery process.
• Deep dive into RNA biology and optimization of mRNA therapeutics
• Develop scientific thinking and communication skills through scientific writing and presentations.

Job Description:

• Optimize analytical methods to determine mRNA integrity (gel electrophoresis, Bioanalyzer, LC/MS)
• Maintain in vitro 2D cell cultures and perform cell-based assays.
• Perform data analysis and develop methods to quantify mRNA half-lives.
• Document relevant experiments and results in electronic notebooks
• Participate, communicate, and present research results in internal scientific discussions between cross-functional teams

Qualification:

• Enrolment in an Undergraduate or Master’s program leading to a Degree in a Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences or Life Sciences-related discipline. Other programmes can be considered on individual merit.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Working knowledge of laboratory-based methodologies such as aseptic cell culture techniques, molecular biology, imaging
• Hands-on laboratory experience preferred.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Who We Look For:

• Strong interest in working in a research-intensive environment.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• Interpersonal skills necessary for working in a highly collaborative, cross-functional working environment.
• Have a positive, proactive, can-do attitude
• Passionate for learning and a good team player.
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Availability for 6 months in a full-time capacity preferred

Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the dayBEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the dayBEFOREthe job posting end date.

A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.