Santen is a specialized company with a proud 130-year heritage focused exclusively on eye health. As a Japan-originated, global company with our footprint in over 60 countries and regions, our mission is to provide essential and significant value to patients and society through our products and services created from our expertise in ophthalmology and from the patient’s perspective.

As we continue to grow and expand our business, we are looing for a talented individual to join us as a Research Assistant.

Based in Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, Singapore , the incumbent will be responsible for supporting daily laboratory operations through laboratory management–related administrative tasks and basic experimental assistance under clear instruction and supervision provided by research scientists, team leader and/or the function head.

The incumbent contributes to smooth and efficient laboratory operation by handling routine tasks such as procurement‑related administration, inventory management, documentation, safety support, and other operational activities.

In addition, the position provides basic assistance for routine experimental work, including simple laboratory and animal‑related procedures, strictly following established protocols, instructions and safety guidelines.

This role does not require independent experimental planning or data interpretation, but demands reliability, accuracy, and appropriate reporting, communication and consultation to support research activities effectively. 

What you will do

• Perform laboratory management–related administrative tasks according to established procedures and instructions provided by research scientists, team leader and/or the function head. These tasks include ordering of reagents and consumables, handling payment invoices, ensuring sufficient stock levels of laboratory supplies by inventory checking, regular equipment maintenance coordination, equipment usage scheduling, and promptly reporting any operational issues to supervising staff.
• Active communication with team members, including research scientists, team leader and/or the function head to understand and anticipate research needs.
• Support maintenance of laboratory documentation and records, including procurement records, inventory logs, and safety- and compliance‑related documents, to ensure accurate record‑keeping and smooth laboratory operation.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and tidy laboratory environment in compliance with relevant laws, institutional regulations and internal guidelines by following established safety procedures and supporting routine safety‑related activities.
• Provide basic experimental assistance for ongoing research activities under clear instruction and supervision, such as reagent weighing, preparation of dosing solutions, sample labeling and handling, and other routine laboratory tasks.
• Assist with routine in vivo and/or in vitro experimental procedures under supervision, which may include animal body weight measurement, anesthesia assistance, dosing preparation, and post‑procedure clean‑up, strictly following provided protocols and instructions.
• Per request by research scientists, team leader and/or the function head, perform other routine laboratory or administrative duties that may arise in the course of laboratory operation.

What you will bring to the role

• Education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor degree, diploma, or technical training in life sciences, biomedical sciences, laboratory technology, or a related field is preferred; however, candidates with equivalent knowledge, skills, and practical experience gained through hands‑on laboratory work or similar roles will also be considered. Typically, 1 to 3 years of relevant working experience in a laboratory environment, academic institute, research organization, or related setting is advantageous..
• Basic knowledge and hands‑on experience in laboratory operations, including handling of reagents, consumables, samples, and routine laboratory procedures, performed under clear instruction and supervision.
• Experience or familiarity with laboratory administrative tasks, such as reagent and consumable ordering, invoice handling, inventory tracking, documentation management, and routine coordination with vendors or internal administrative departments.
• Basic experience or willingness to assist with routine experimental or animal‑related tasks (e.g., sample handling, reagent preparation, body weight measurement), strictly following provided protocols, instructions, and safety guidelines.
• Good understanding of laboratory safety principles and compliance requirements, with the ability to follow established rules, standard operating procedures, and institutional regulations.
• Ability to appropriately report, communicate and seek guidance (so‑called “reporting, communication and consultation”) to supervisors and team members, including promptly reporting issues, deviations, or uncertainties, and escalating matters when instructions are unclear or unexpected situations arise.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and reliability in executing routine tasks accurately and consistently, with an understanding of the importance of accuracy and timeliness in a support role.

Grow your career at Santen

A career at Santen is an opportunity to make a difference. We aspire to contribute to the realization of “Happiness with Vision” by providing eye health products and services to patients, consumers, and medical professionals around the world. Guided by our CORE PRINCIPLE, “Tenki ni sanyo suru”, Santen is engaged in the global research & development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing of pharmaceutical products in ophthlamology. We have team members around the world using their diverse talents to unlock new modalities and drive innovations for patient outcomes, education and treatment. At Santen, we believe in empowering all our team members with flexible ways of working and a highly inclusive work environment.

The Santen Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building diverse teams and ensuring a safe and inclusive physical and virtual workplace for every one of our team members. All employment decisions are based on business needs, role requirements and individual qualifications regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin/ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/ expression, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you require any kind of accommodation during our recruitment process, please let the recruiter from our team know.