Assistant Director (Science & Technology Development)

Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) invites applications for an Assistant Director in the Science and Technology Planning Division (STPD). You will support strategic master-planning for S&T across the MSE Family, manage the RIE USS Domain funds, and help translate R&D outcomes into impact for Singapore.

You will collaborate with MSE-F agencies to develop S&T masterplans, analyse landscapes, and contribute to AI-enabled tools to strengthen evaluation frameworks, ensuring

Qualifications

• A degree in relevant fields such as engineering, natural sciences or sustainability.
• Experience in sustainability space is preferred.
• Experience in R&D management and government ministry coordination is beneficial.
• Strategic thinking for overseeing multiple S&T tracks.
• Analytical and critical thinking for evaluating funding proposals.
• Clear written and oral communication of complex ideas.
• Experience in AI and digital tool development is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support research translation strategy development through landscape reviews and market trends.
• Manage the RIE USS Domain funds with NRF and MND, including secretariat work and reviews.
• Collaborate with MSE-F agencies to develop S&T masterplans and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Develop and implement AI-enabled tools to support evaluation frameworks and efficiency.

Skills

Degree in relevant fields

Sustainability experience

R&D management

Government/ministry coordination

Strategic thinking

Critical and logical thinking

AI/digital tools development

Education

Degree in engineering, natural sciences or sustainability

Job description

What the role is:

At MSE and our family of agencies - PUB, NEA, and SFA - we drive sustainability and resilience initiatives that improve the everyday lives of Singaporeans. As part of the MSE Family, you will be at the forefront of innovation, leading efforts to safeguard water resources, protect public health, and ensure food safety. Through partnerships across sectors, we tackle evolving challenges while fostering an inclusive, safe, and supportive workplace. Join us in shaping Singapore’s sustainable future and making a lasting impact on the everyday lives of generations to come. The role as an Assistant Director in the Science and Technology Planning Division (STPD). You will support the strategic master-planning work in Science & Technology (S&T) for MSE Family (MSE-F). This ranges from managing the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) Urban Solutions and Sustainability (USS) Domain funds, supporting the translation effort for RIE projects and working with MSE-F agencies to develop S&T masterplans. STPD uses S&T as an enabler to support the overall MSE vision of creating a sustainable, resource-resilient and climate-resilient Singapore. S&T topics are broad, ranging from water resources, resource circularity, climate adaptation, food security to applied AI in support of MSE-F mission. You will be part of a dynamic team that drives the strategic translation of MSE-F research outputs into commercial and operational applications.

What you will be working on:

• Support research translation strategy development through comprehensive reviews of business landscape, market trends and technology translation processes across MSE's sustainability domains.
• Manage the RIE USS Domain funds in conjunction with NRF and MND. This includes secretariat work, R&D management, reviewing funding proposals, and helping agencies translate their R&D outcomes to impact.
• Collaborate with MSE-F agencies to develop their S&T masterplans. This includes scoping content with key stakeholders, coordinating with IHLs/agencies and providing qualitative and quantitative analyses at various management platforms.
• Develop, operationalise and improve the MSE-F R&D Evaluation Framework. This includes the development and use of AI and digital tools to ensure adherence to the evaluation framework for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

What we are looking for:

• A degree in relevant fields such as engineering, natural sciences or sustainability areas.
• Experience in the sustainability space would be preferred.
• Experience in R&D management and Government Ministry coordination work would be beneficial.
• Strategic thinking for overseeing multiple tracks of S&T development.
• Critical and logical thinking for assessment for funding proposals.
• Ability to write and present complex ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to develop AI and digital tools would be beneficial.

About Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) is committed to providing Singaporeans with a clean and sustainable environment, and safe and secure supplies of food and water. MSE's key priorities are to ensure a sustainable, resource-efficient and climate resilient Singapore. Our three strategic directions include economic resilience, resource resilience and climate resilience. We enjoy challenging and diverse careers, which are bound together by the common cause - making Singapore’s living environment among the best in the world. Everyone who works at MSE has a role to play in helping to shape our environment - not just for now, but for generations to come. We are constantly on the lookout for energetic, pro-active and committed individuals to join us. Successful candidates can expect a fulfilling career with competitive remuneration package and comprehensive range of benefits, as well as opportunities for cross-deployment within MSE and our Statutory Boards as part of our holistic career development. To learn more about us, please visit https://www.mse.gov.sg.