Lead Scientist - Arthropod Ecology & Surveillance

NEA National Environment Agency; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

GovTech invites applications for a Researcher role in the Arthropod Ecology Section within the Vector Surveillance and Ecology Department. The position focuses on mosquitoes and other medically important arthropods, combining taxonomy with molecular methods to understand diversity and pathogen associations.

You will lead field and lab studies, develop colonisation capabilities, apply NGS/bioinformatics, and translate findings into surveillance and public‑health readiness while mentoring junior

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Medical Entomology, Entomology, Ecology, Zoology, Vector Biology, Biological Sciences, or another relevant discipline.
• Demonstrated research track record with independent leadership and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Experience in arthropod ecology, field surveillance, molecular biology and pathogen detection, NGS and bioinformatics or geospatial analysis.
• Experience in arthropod taxonomy with morphological IDs, keys, reference collections or DNA barcoding.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills and ability to draw scientifically defensible conclusions.
• Ability to work independently and with partners across disciplines and organisations.
• Excellent scientific writing and ability to communicate findings to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work in field and lab with biosafety, governance compliance.
• Willingness to work weekends/after hours for field activities.
• Valid Class 3 driver’s license for travel to multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and biosurveillance by designing and conducting field and laboratory studies on mosquitoes and arthropods.
• Advance arthropod ecology and taxonomy using morphological and molecular approaches.
• Build laboratory colonisation capability by establishing and maintaining colonies of mosquitoes and other biting arthropods.
• Apply molecular approaches including NGS and bioinformatics to detect, characterise and discover pathogens and assess public‑health significance.
• Integrate ecological, taxonomic, molecular and pathogen evidence to inform surveillance, risk assessment and preparedness.
• Provide scientific leadership and build collaborations, mentor junior researchers, and publish findings.

Skills

Analytical skills

Scientific writing

Leadership

Collaboration

Independent work

Education

Master's or PhD in Medical Entomology / Entomology / Ecology / Zoology / Vector Biology / Biological Sciences

Tools

NGS

Bioinformatics

DNA barcoding

Job description

GovTech invites applications for a Researcher role in the Arthropod Ecology Section within the Vector Surveillance and Ecology Department. The position focuses on mosquitoes and other medically important arthropods, combining taxonomy with molecular methods to understand diversity and pathogen associations.

You will lead field and lab studies, develop colonisation capabilities, apply NGS/bioinformatics, and translate findings into surveillance and public‑health readiness while mentoring junior