Principal Research Officer (Arthropod Ecology Section)

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

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 reemerging 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).