Principal Research Officer (Arthropod Ecology Section)

National Environment Agency; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

National Environment Agency in Singapore seeks a researcher to join the Arthropod Ecology Section within the Vector Surveillance and Ecology Department. The role focuses on mosquitoes and other arthropods to understand diversity, distribution, and pathogens using classical taxonomy and molecular methods.

This position offers opportunities to lead research, develop capabilities, and collaborate with researchers and public-health professionals in Singapore and internationally.

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 peer‑reviewed publications.
• Experience in arthropod ecology, field surveillance, molecular biology, pathogen detection, NGS and bioinformatics, or geospatial analysis.
• Taxonomy experience is valued (morphology, DNA barcoding, references).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to evaluate evidence.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across disciplines and with partners.
• Good scientific writing and communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Compliance with biosafety, ethics, regulatory and governance requirements.
• Willingness to work weekends or after hours for field activities.
• Valid Class 3 driver's licence may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and biosurveillance: design and conduct field and laboratory studies on arthropods, from question to publication.
• Advance arthropod ecology and taxonomy using morphological and molecular methods.
• Build laboratory colonisation capability for mosquitoes and other arthropods.
• Investigate pathogens using molecular approaches, including NGS, and bioinformatics analyses.
• Apply ecological, taxonomic, molecular and pathogen evidence to inform surveillance and risk assessment.
• Provide scientific leadership, mentor junior researchers, foster collaborations, and publish findings.

Skills

Independent work

Collaborative research

Analytical thinking

Scientific writing

Communication

Education

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

NGS

Bioinformatics

Job description

What the role is:

The Environmental Health Institute (EHI) is looking for a researcher to join the Arthropod Ecology Section within the Vector Surveillance and Ecology Department, Vector Biology & Control Division.

The Section conducts research and biosurveillance on mosquitoes and other medically important arthropods, including biting midges, sandflies, fleas, ticks and cockroaches. Our work seeks to understand their diversity, abundance, distribution and population dynamics, and the environmental factors that shape these patterns. Taxonomy is an important foundation of this work. We combine classical morphological taxonomy with molecular approaches to identify arthropods, including emerging, invasive and poorly characterised species. We also detect, characterise, and discover pathogens associated with arthropods using next‑generation sequencing (NGS) approaches.

Through this work, we generate scientific evidence to support Singapore's surveillance, risk assessment and preparedness for emerging and re‑emerging arthropod‑related public‑health threats.

The position offers opportunities to develop and lead research, build new scientific capabilities and collaborate with researchers and public‑health professionals in Singapore and internationally.

What you will be working on:

• Lead research and biosurveillance - Design and conduct field and laboratory studies on mosquitoes and other medically important arthropods, from formulating research questions to analysing, interpreting and publishing findings.
• Advance arthropod ecology and taxonomy - Investigate the diversity, distribution, abundance and ecology of medically important arthropods. Develop and apply classical morphological and molecular approaches for species identification and characterisation.
• Build laboratory colonisation capability - Establish and maintain colonies of mosquitoes and other biting arthropods to support biological and ecological research.
• Investigate arthropods and associated pathogens - Apply molecular approaches, including NGS and bioinformatic analysis, to detect, characterise and discover pathogens associated with arthropods, and assess their potential public‑health significance.
• Apply research to public‑health needs - Integrate ecological, taxonomic, molecular and pathogen evidence to inform surveillance, risk assessment, and preparedness.
• Provide scientific leadership and build collaborations - Mentor junior researchers, contribute to research priorities and capability development, collaborate with local and international research partners, and publish and communicate research findings.

What we are looking for:

• Master's degree or PhD in Medical Entomology, Entomology, Ecology, Zoology, Vector Biology, Biological Sciences, or another relevant discipline.
• A demonstrated research track record, including experience independently leading research projects, supported by peer‑reviewed scientific publications.
• Experience in one or more areas relevant to the Section's work, such as arthropod ecology and field surveillance, arthropod colonisation, molecular biology and pathogen detection, NGS and bioinformatics, or ecological and geospatial analysis.
• Experience in arthropod taxonomy would be particularly valued, including morphological identification, taxonomic keys, reference collections, DNA barcoding or other approaches for resolving species identity.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to critically evaluate scientific evidence, recognise limitations and uncertainty, and develop scientifically defensible conclusions.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across scientific disciplines and with research institutions, government agencies and other partners.
• Good scientific writing and communication skills, with the ability to communicate research findings and their public‑health significance to scientific, operational and multidisciplinary audiences.
• Able to work effectively in field and laboratory environments and comply with applicable biosafety, ethical, regulatory and research‑governance requirements.
• Able to work on weekends or after office hours when required for field surveillance, specimen collection or other time‑sensitive research activities.
• Valid Class 3 driver's licence as field surveillance and specimen collection activities may require travel to various sites (vehicle provided if available)

About National Environment Agency

The National Environment Agency (NEA) is the leading public organisation responsible for ensuring a clean and sustainable environment for Singapore. Its key roles are to improve and sustain a clean environment, promote sustainability and resource efficiency, maintain high public health standards, provide timely and reliable meteorological information, and encourage a vibrant hawker culture. NEA works closely with its partners and the community to develop and spearhead environmental and public health initiatives and programmes. It is committed to motivating every individual to care for the environment as a way of life, in order to build a liveable and sustainable Singapore for present and future generations.

For more information, visit www.nea.gov.sg