MOE START Scheme (Early Career Awards) - Food, Chemical and Biotechnology

SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (SIT); Singapore; On-site; SGD 20,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institute in Singapore is offering the Early Career Awards to support outstanding young Singaporeans who have recently completed their postdoctoral training. Awardees will enhance their teaching capabilities and build a competitive research portfolio, with potential progression to an Assistant Professorship at the institute. The program ensures a supportive mentorship and collaboration with industry to tackle pertinent challenges in fields such as food, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.

Benefits

Mentorship during the award period

Potential for research grants

Qualifications

• Singapore Citizen.
• Recently completed postdoctoral training.
• High degree of proficiency and motivation for research.

Responsibilities

• Enhance teaching capabilities.
• Build a strong research portfolio.
• Collaborate on translational research and innovation.

Skills

Strong passion for teaching

Research proficiency

Excellent academic record

Education

Postdoctoral training

Job description

Organisation/Company SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (SIT) Research Field Agricultural sciences Biological sciences Chemistry Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Singapore Application Deadline 29 Nov 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

At the heart of SIT’s mission is to nurture industry-ready graduates equipped with deep technical expertise and transferable skills to tackle tomorrow’s challenges. SIT collaborates with industry in our education, while benefitting them with our talent supply and collaborative research achievements.

The University’s unique applied learning pedagogy integrates work and study, embedding authentic learning experiences within real-world environments. Through strategic partnerships forged by our faculty with industry, learners bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application in and out of the classroom. Such active & authentic learning opportunities ensures graduates step into their careers with applicable skills and competence.

In research, SIT faculty aims to bridge knowledge creation and utilisation. Our faculty collaborates closely with industry on translational research and innovation with focus on addressing pertinent industry challenges to impact 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 outstanding young Singaporeans interested in pursuing an academic career at SIT.

The Early Career Awards (ECA) are designed to support Singaporeans who have recently completed their postdoctoral training and prepare them for an academic career at SIT. This award aims to enhance the teaching capabilities of the recipient and help build a strong research portfolio.

• Singapore Citizen
• Recently completed postdoctoral training
• Excellent academic record plus a high degree of proficiency and motivation for a research area that is strongly aligned with SIT’s supported areas
• Strong passion for teaching, research and an academic career

Awardees may receive research grants to help build a competitive research portfolio. Upon completion of the award, awardees will be considered for Assistant Professorship.

Awardees will also be assigned a faculty mentor for the duration of the scheme.

Application Process

• Applications are open throughout the year. Applications received before 15 January 2026 will be considered for intake 2026.
• Interview by the respective clusters for shortlisted applicants will be conducted throughout the year.
• Final Interview by Panel for shortlisted applicants will take place from March to April 2026.
• Awards for intake 2026 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.