Job Description :
The successful candidate will work with Dr Nalini Puniamoorthy on operational work of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF)" under a project on Sustainable Food Processing: Black Soldier Fly Valorisation of Organic Waste for High-Value Products.


We are seeking a Research Assistant to support both the operational work of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) facility and the molecular or analytical components of ongoing research projects. The role involves hands-on insect husbandry, sample processing, laboratory assays, data collection, and maintaining smooth day-to-day facility operations.


Key Responsibilities :

Conduct molecular and analytical laboratory work.
Assist with routine husbandry of Black Soldier Fly colonies, including feeding, larval separation, pupation management, and adult cage upkeep.
Support experimental setups, sampling, and data collection following established protocols.
Record and organize operational and experimental data accurately.
Maintain cleanliness and biosecurity standards in the facility.
Troubleshoot minor equipment or operational issues and escalate when needed.
Assist in preparation of substrates, diets, and materials required for BSF rearing and experiments.
Support inventory management and procurement of consumables.
Perform any other operational duties assigned by the project lead or facility manager.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Life Science, Environmental Science or a related field.


Experience:

Handling insect cultures and molecular lab skills would be a plus. Fresh grads are welcome to apply

Skills:

Keen on working with and maintaining insects for research purposes.
Should be comfortable working with food waste.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team and communicate with people with and without a science background.
More Information

Job requisition ID : 30980

Please reach out to [email protected] or Dr Nalini Puniamoorthy ([email protected]) directly if you are intrested.

​Apply via NUS_Website

Could there be a better way to end the semester than a hot pot ? Even better, our amazing alumni joined us, turning dinner into a mini reunion filled with stories. It was a perfect mix of chaos and laughter accompanying the meal. A highlight from this event (apart from the random combinations of sauces and disagreements over the number and type of soup bases to choose) was definitely legendary noodle dance!  

​Do you think that's it? Nope, we went to visit a nearby exhibit called the Unnatural history museum at the National Design Centre to look at Singapore's history from an unconventional angle. From the odd (and honestly slightly creepy) looking robot to a merlion 'fossil' , we learnt more about Singapore heritage and how it has changed throughout the decades.

​And we are not done with the day yet. The night is still young after all, as Dr. P says. So we went on a hunt for desserts to end the day. We ended up at a street selling mainly desserts at the back of Bugis Square and went for round 2 with a whole array of delicious Chinese desserts, from mango sago pomelo to tang yuan. Was certainly a day where all of us exceeded our calorie intake!

 Congratulations to Shakthee for nailing her PhD defense on 19 August 2025!! One of our PhD students has finally graduated after all the hardship that she had been through. All the best in your future endeavours Dr Shakthee and please come back to visit us! 

Congratulations to all our ReproLab graduates. we’re so proud of every one of you!
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From juggling experiments, exams, lectures, multiple presentations, and report drafts that multiplied like flies, You have done it all.  And guess what? It all paid off beautifully.

We miss you already, but remember: once a ReproLab member, always a ReproLab member. The lab feels different without your chaos, laughter, and last-minute “help me” messages.

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Huge congratulations to Qihui for successfully defending her PhD and even better, for returning to the lab as a postdoc!
Her study explored how Phenotypic plasticity induced by their diets turned the humble Black Soldier Fly (BSF) into the ultimate waste-to-protein recycler, uncovering how diet during larval stages affects growth, reproduction, and industrial bioconversion efficiency.
From showing that lab-adapted BSFs are picky eaters with heightened superpowers, to revealing that males and females have very different “resource priorities,” Qihui bridged biology with practical applications for sustainable insect farming. Her work is literally turning food waste into gold…or at least protein-rich larvae!
We’re thrilled to have her back, continuing to transform BSF research. Welcome back, Qihui! 

What a tossing good time we had at ReproLab’s Chinese New Year celebration! 🍊🧨 We kicked things off with a vibrant Yu Sheng session—everyone throwing their wishes for a prosperous year into the air (literally)!  The higher the toss, the bigger the blessings, right? 🙌
Our wishes were as wild as our lab! Some hoped for a flood of papers 📄, others wanted more insects in their traps 🦗 (yes, please!). 🎉 Whether it's scientific success or more bugs to study, we’re all set to crush 2025 with even more breakthroughs, fun, and a little bit of luck sprinkled in. 🌟 Let’s make this year legendary! 💥

We're thrilled to share that our very own Professor Nalini was featured in Her World! She joined inspiring voices like Esther and Qiyun Woo to chat about the urgency of tackling climate change—and why we all need to step up our game.
Catch the fun and insightful conversation that proves even serious issues can be met with energy, passion, and a touch of humor. Check out the article and join us in celebrating a champion for our planet!