Deputy Director, Sustainability & Energy

A*STAR Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR Research is seeking a Deputy Director for its Sustainability & Energy Cluster in Singapore. This role involves strategizing, organizing, and driving R&D initiatives in decarbonization technologies such as low carbon energy sources, electrification, and the circular economy.

The ideal candidate will have a background in technical/engineering disciplines with at least 10 years of experience and will collaborate extensively with various public agencies and industries to shape R&D agendas.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of related work experience.
• Comfortable with delivering outcomes in a complex environment.
• Knowledge in decarbonization technologies and trends.

Responsibilities

• Strategise and drive R&D initiatives in decarbonization technologies.
• Perform long-term R&D planning and stakeholder engagements.
• Evaluate research proposals and manage projects.

Skills

Leadership and people development

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

Technical/engineering discipline

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 decarbonization 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 electronics)
• Built Environment (e.g. Alternative materials; Digital Twinning, Modelling & Simulations for infrastructure 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 (e.g. 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 (e.g. RIE 2030).
• Technology foresighting and masterplanning 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.

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Job Requirements

• A background in a technical/engineering discipline, with at least 10 years of related work experience.
• Comfortable with delivering outcomes in a complex environment within challenging timelines.
• Attention to detail, 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 decarbonization 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.

The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.