Lead/ Senior Scientific Officer (Sociobehavioural and Community Research) (CDA)

What the role is:

Working with the lead, the incumbent will be responsible for planning and executing sociobehavioural and community research to inform public health policies and clinical guidelines. Working closely with public health surveillance and national programmes, the position holder coordinates and executes both in-house and commissioned research projects.

You will be working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment that would require the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders at the same time.

What will you be working on?

• Support the establishment and development of a research core focusing on sociobehavioural and community research.

• Contribute to building expertise in community cohorts and innovative research methodologies.

• Implement activities of the research core to fulfil the mission of working with public health surveillance and national programmes to deliver evidence base to inform policies in public health and national programmes.

• Engage with public health surveillance and national programmes to develop key research questions.

• Plan and execute operational research activities conducted in-house or via external partners.

• Develop and maintain national and international collaborations and networks which are critical in outbreak response.

• Support rapid response capability for nationally important outbreaks.

• Present research findings to internal and external stakeholders, especially policymakers.

• Prepare funding proposals to conduct and commission research projects.

• Manage a team of 2-3 research fellows/associates.

What are we looking for?

Required skills and experience:

• PhD with at least 5 years of post-doctoral research experience in public health, epidemiology or social/behavioural research.

• Experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies.

• Proven track record of peer-reviewed publications.

• Experience in managing research projects and teams.

• Ability to build and maintain professional networks.

Attributes and aptitude:

• Analytical thinking.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple priorities.

• Problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

• Strategic thinking and planning abilities.

• Collaborative mindset.

As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.

About Communicable Diseases Agency

The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) was established in 2025 as a statutory board under Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) to serve as the central authority for public health policymaking to manage and control the threat of communicable diseases. This is aimed at strengthening Singapore's public health capabilities built during the COVID-19 response to ensure a unified command and coordinated approach across all situations, from routine disease control to future outbreaks. CDA safeguards the nation from communicable diseases through disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, vaccination programs, public education, and global health collaboration. Beyond domestic activities, the CDA aims to expand Singapore’s global outreach and foster collaboration with international partners.