The Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) is a unique interdisciplinary Research Centre of Excellence (RCE), funded by National Research Foundation, Ministry of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and National University of Singapore (NUS). Hosted by NTU in partnership with NUS, SCELSE is linking new insights from the life sciences with expertise from emerging technologies in engineering and natural sciences to understand, harness and control microbial biofilm communities.

Our organization is seeking an experienced NGS Facility Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of our NGS facility. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing a NGS team whom will be responsible for incoming NGS samples from various collaborators following a series of NGS workflow including samples and libraries quality control, using different types of library preparation and processing them on different sequencing platforms. The candidate will also be responsible to ensure all the team members are properly trained and performed their work according to standard operating procedures and understanding the risk assessments involving in different aspect of the sequencing workflow. He/She will be involved in continuously seeking and testing new library preparation protocols in the markets for RNA and DNA samples. Further tasks include sequencing cost calculation, sourcing and procuring lab consumables, reagents and equipment for the next generation sequencing laboratory and attending to any related matters with vendors. Operate and maintain liquid handling devices (Agilent Bravo Automation Liquid Handling and Tapestation 4200) is a further key responsibility of this position. Additionally, the NGS Facility Manager must ensure all sequencing projects are completed in a timely manner and continuously in producing good and high-quality data.

Key Responsibilities:

Management of the NGS facility

• Lead day-to-day operations of the Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) lab and communicate with all team members on the logistics/ duties for the NGS workflow
• Ensure that all team members are properly trained, adhere to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and reporting of results to the team for record-keeping
• Manage and maintaining of the standard operating procedures (SOP) and risk assessment (RA) documentations for the NGS facility.
• Actively looking to optimise, refine, and enhance the NGS workflow - validating new NGS library preparation kits and sequencers
• Troubleshooting any technical issues related to NGS sample processing, library preparation, and sequencing
• Operating and providing technical expertise in Illumina Platforms (Miseq, HiseqX and NovaSeq6000)
• Ensure that the NGS facility operates in compliance with all relevant safety and regulatory requirements
• Oversee and manage the workflow of 3 -5 technical assistance and to advise them on day-to-day operations

Upkeep of NGS lab facility, maintenance of equipment, and consumables inventory

• Coordinate and maintaining of lab instruments such as Quantstudio 3, Illumina sequencers, Bravo Automation Liquid Handling and Agilent 4200 Tapestation- keeping track of period contracts, setting up service contracts, scheduling preventive maintenance (PM)
• Keep track, source and procure lab consumables, reagents and equipment for the next generation sequencing laboratory and resolve any disputes with vendors
• Maintain proper records for assets and ensure all assets are accounted for during audits
• Manage the NGS inventory, income and expenditures

Financial Management

• Communicate with finance department upon completion of sequencing projects for invoicing and payment
• Maintain proper records for assets and ensure all assets are accounted for during audits
• Creating/submitting ITQ/tender documents to procurement for period and service contracts
• Updating the costs of reagents and consumables yearly and preparing the cost calculations for the following years' sequencing requests

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as biology, biochemistry, or genetics.
• At least 5-8 years of experience working in an NGS facility or related field.
• Experience with Illumina platforms (Miseq, HiSeq 2500 and HiSeq X, or NovaSeq 6000) sequencing.
• Experience with different types of library preparation protocols for RNA and DNA samples.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Knowledge of relevant safety and regulatory requirements.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Hiring Institution: NTU