MOE START Scheme (Applied Research Fellowship) - Food, Chemical & Biotechnology

Singapore Institute of Technology; Singapore; On-site; SGD 20,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Singapore Institute of Technology offers the Applied Research Fellowship aimed at doctoral candidates. Fellows will undertake advanced research training, receive mentorship, and gain skills essential for an academic career, with opportunities for engagement in industry challenges and research-focused initiatives.

Benefits

Monthly stipend

Overseas maintenance allowance

Return economy airfare

Conference and fieldwork grants

Overseas medical insurance

Qualifications

• Singapore citizen.
• Excellent academic record plus high motivation for research area.
• Accepted/postdoctoral training at a leading overseas university aligned with SIT's research areas.

Responsibilities

• Engage in advanced training and research at an overseas university for one year.
• Participate in faculty development programmes.

Skills

Research skills

Motivation

Proficiency in research area

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

SIT's mission is centred on nurturing industry-ready graduates who possess deep technical expertise and transferable skills to address future challenges. We collaborate with industry in our education, providing them with a talented workforce and benefiting from our collaborative research endeavours.

OurUniversity’s distinctiveapplied learning pedagogy integrates work and study, embedding authentic learning experiences within real-world settings. Through strategic partnerships forged by our academic staff with industry, learners bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application insideand outsideof the classroom. These active and authentic learning opportunities ensure thatgraduates entertheir careers with relevantskills and competence.

In research, SIT faculty aims to bridge the gap betweenknowledge creation and utilisation. Our faculty workclosely with industry on translational research and innovation, focusing on addressing significantindustry challenges to positivelyimpact businesses.

The Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent (START) Scheme is co-funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and SIT to encourage and support exceptionalSingaporeans who areinterested in pursuing an academic career at SIT.

The Applied Research Fellowship aims to provide doctoral candidates who are about to complete or have recently completed their studies an opportunity to engage in advanced training and/or research at an overseas university for one year.

Besides financial support, awardees will also receive academic mentorship.

Upon completion of the Fellowship, awardees will be considered for Assistant Professorship.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• Singapore citizen

• Doctoral candidates who have recently completed or are about to complete their studies in a discipline under the supported areas for START below

• Excellent academic record plus a high degree of proficiency and motivation for selected research area

• Have been accepted or have applied for a postdoctoral training at a leading overseas university in a research area that is aligned with SIT’s supported areas

• A keen interest in an academic career

Value of Fellowship

The Fellowship provides

• Monthly stipend

• Overseas maintenance allowance

• Return economy airfare

• Conference and fieldwork grants

• Overseas medical insurance

Fellows will also each be assigned a SIT faculty mentor throughout their post-doctoral training and have opportunities to participate in faculty development programmes.

The fellowship is tenable for one year. On an exception basis, a two-year programme may be supported.

Service Commitment

One year for every year of sponsorship.

Application Process

• Applications are open throughout the year. Applications received before 15 January 2026 will be considered for the 2026 intake.

• Interview by the respective clusters for shortlisted applicants will be conducted throughout the year.

• Final Interview by the Panel for shortlisted applicants for the 2026 intake will commence in Mid-March to End April 2026.

• Awards will be finalised by July 2026.

Supported Areas for START

Food, Chemical and Biotechnology

• Sustainable and Functional food:Sustainable food systems & circular food economy - alternative proteins, upcycled ingredients); AI & automation in food manufacturing - smart sensors, digital twins, and AI-driven food quality control and processing; Food safety - supply chain tracking/monitoring, blockchain

• Biotechnology:Host strain screening and engineering for microbial bioprocess development; microbial physiology and adaptation for industrial applications; high-throughput screening and automation for strain optimization; bioprospecting for novel microbial hosts, enzymes, and metabolites to support sustainable biomanufacturing.

• (Bio)pharmaceuticals:Processing science and technology for bio- and chemical transformations, separations, purifications and formulation applied to pharmaceuticals manufacture; modelling of processing steps and whole processes to support innovation, design, optimisation and control for manufacturing operations.

• Process control:process modelling, control, and optimization, with applications in chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing; data-driven modelling and machine learning applications in process industries; advanced process control (APC); model predictive control (MPC); digital twins and real-time process monitoring and control; process analytical technology (PAT); process intensification and sustainability.