HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Maine genetics research lab announced Thursday it has hired the first researcher to join its new center for genomic medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington.

Jackson Laboratory officials said they have hired Yijun Ruan, who’s an associate director of the Genome Institute of Singapore and a biochemistry professor at the National University of Singapore. The Associated Press learned of the hire ahead of a formal announcement. It marks the first significant hiring for the $1.1 billion laboratory project, which is scheduled to open in 2014.

Under a $291 million agreement with the state, $192 million in loans will be forgiven once Jackson creates and retains 300 jobs. Jackson is also receiving up to $99 million in grants for research from the state.

Ruan, a U. S. citizen, is bringing up to six members of his research team to Connecticut. Ruan and other recruits will initially work in leased space while the 173,000- square- foot facility is designed and built.

Besides recruiting research faculty, Jackson said it is also hiring for other top jobs, including site manager, science coordinator, facilities manager, senior personnel manager and senior financial analyst.

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