Deputy Director, Sustainability & Energy

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization in Singapore is looking for a Deputy Director in the Sustainability & Energy Cluster to spearhead R&D initiatives in decarbonisation technologies. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience, a background in technical or engineering disciplines, and strong strategic and analytical skills. Responsibilities include collaborating with various stakeholders and managing R&D programmes to meet national priorities, ensuring impactful outcomes in public sector research.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of related work experience in a technical or engineering field.
• Ability to deliver outcomes in complex environments and challenging timelines.
• Strong attention to details and resourcefulness.

Responsibilities

• Strategise, organise, and drive A*STAR's R&D initiatives in decarbonisation technologies.
• Collaborate with ministries and public agencies for sustainability and energy R&D.
• Manage R&D programmes and translate technologies for commercialization.

Skills

Strategic planning

Analytical skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Education

Technical/engineering discipline background

Job description

ABOUT SERC

Science And Engineering Research Council (SERC) Of A*STAR Promotes Public Sector Research And Development In The Physical Sciences And Engineering. At SERC, We

• Support world‑class research in A*STAR institutes in a wide range of fields including communications, AI & data science, cybersecurity, modelling and simulations, materials, chemicals, microelectronics, sustainability, energy, manufacturing technologies and metrology;
• Plan and promote research in strategic areas to create knowledge and intellectual property that will drive the development of knowledge‑intensive industries;
• Cultivate and engage an extensive network of public sector and industry partners via various programmes to facilitate a seamless flow of technologies from conception to commercialisation.

Job Description

Deputy Director in the Sustainability & Energy Cluster of SERC is required to strategise, organise, and drive A*STAR's R&D initiatives in decarbonisation technologies, such as:

• Low Carbon Energy Sources (e.g. Hydrogen and its associated carriers)
• Electrification (e.g. Energy Storage Systems & Power systems)
• Circular Economy (e.g. lifecycle technologies of polymers, food, and electronic)
• Built Environment (e.g. Alternative materials; Digital Twinning, Modelling & Simulations for infra planning)
• Carbon Services (e.g. Carbon Accounting & Techno‑Economic Analysis tools for industry)
• Green Chemicals & Specialty Polymers (e.g. New catalysis processes to lower carbon footprint)

The Officer Will Be Part Of a Dynamic Sustainability & Energy Cluster Which Shapes Public Sector Research And Innovation To Deliver Economic And Societal Outcomes For Singapore Through

• Strategic planning, coordination, and collaborations in Sustainability & Energy R&D with Ministries & Public Agencies (eg. NRF, MTI, NCCS, MND, MSE, EDB, EMA), Research Institutes, Institutes of Higher Learning, and industry sectors
• Long‑term R&D planning and stakeholder engagements that shape and contribute directly to the national R&D agenda (eg. RIE 2030)
• Technology Foresighting and Master‑planning to optimise R&D investment portfolio and ensure alignment with national priorities
• R&D programme strategy development and design, which entails convening relevant public agencies, enterprises, and research entities (within A*STAR and from Institutes of Higher Learning) into collaboration programmes, securing necessary management support, and resources for programme execution
• R&D programme execution and management, including working with other A*STAR divisions to plan for subsequent technology translation and commercialisation
• Development and reviews of technology capabilities across all A*STAR Research Institutes
• Research proposals evaluation, project reviews, and management

Job Requirements

• A Background in a technical/engineering discipline, with at least 10 years of related work experience
• Comfortable with delivering outcomes in complex environment within challenging timelines
• Attention to details, Result‑oriented, and resourceful, with astute planning and analytical skills
• Ability to think strategically, analyse issues from different angles and devise comprehensive solutions
• Knowledge in a broad range of decarbonisation technologies, trends, trade‑offs, challenges, and potentials
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Track record of leadership and people development, and ability to mentor junior officers