Pros
1) Passionate and relatable trainers. Assigned mentors to trainees, to assist trainee in adapting to roles required.
2) Established and Mature Next Generation Sequencing workflow. In both short reads (Illumina) and long reads (PacBio) sequencing technologies. From sample to sequencing to bioinformatics, end to end workflow. These skillsets are open to all suitable/keen candidates.
3) All mention processes are housed locally, currently NovogeneAIT have all these processes in SG.
4) Challenging and dynamic environment, never a dull day at work, time passes really quickly while working. Company is constantly pushing you to learn and develop yourself.
Product offerings has expanded from only specializing in Whole Genome Seq in 2018, to include Whole Exome Seq in 2019, RNA seq in 2020, and various sample extraction in 2021. Not to mention enhancement of long reads sequencing capabilities via PacBio platform.
Candidates become stakeholders of these changes. To learn from these challenging changes, under guidance from Novogene expansive experience.
Suitable for self-starters, or anyone who are up for a challenge, or looking for motivation from this mundane world, towards the exciting Genomic industry.
5) Company with many opportunities to develop yourself, be it vertically or horizontally, after accumulating 1-2 years of experience in a department / certain role / experimental workflow.
Progression is fluid, between lab and commercial departments, after accumulating sufficient experience.
I joined in 2018 as a lab officer under training by a trainer from HQ, during which my proficiency in the experimental workflow matures and my mandarin improved till working level, in 2019 I was given the opportunity to take over my department, during which I developed my experimental and team management, and troubleshooting skill-sets, afterwhich through 2021 my team expanded with enhanced capabilities and responsibilities.
6) Benefits are improving.
New management just established internal progression structure. On top existing of quarterly key performance indicators benefits, shift allowance and OT allowance, all of which are post probation benefits. Remuneration package are in place to motivate and reward achievement of targets.
Cons
1) Very steep learning curve for new candidates or trainers.
2) Pay scheme in the process of improving, still space to improve, to better retain staff.
3) Insufficient manpower or instrument to complete all task on schedule. To be overcome with expansion of the team.
