Principal Scientist, Program Lead for Accelerated Materials Innovation (IMRE)

A*STAR RESEARCH ENTITIES; Singapore; On-site; SGD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization in Singapore is seeking an experienced leader to drive self-driving experimental initiatives in materials innovation. The role involves spearheading automated platforms for research, integrating AI into workflows, and building industry partnerships. Ideal candidates will hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field, with demonstrated leadership and expertise in materials science and automation. This opportunity allows for impactful contributions to the future of advanced manufacturing and technological innovation.

Benefits

Work with world-class talent

State-of-the-art facilities

Opportunity to lead transformative projects

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within a top-tier university, research institution, or industry.
• Strong track record in building and managing automated experimental platforms.
• Expertise in driving industry adoption of new materials.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of automated experimental platforms for materials.
• Integrate AI and machine learning with experimental workflows.
• Develop partnerships with industry leaders for material commercialization.
• Mentor and lead a high-performing team of scientists and engineers.
• Contribute to the strategic roadmap for materials innovation.

Skills

Leadership

AI/ML Integration

Industry Relationships

Collaboration Skills

Materials Expertise

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline

Tools

High-throughput synthesis robots

Automated experimental platforms

Job description

IMRE is seeking an exceptional and experienced leader to drive our initiatives in self-driving experiments for accelerated materials innovation. This pivotal role is for a visionary individual with a strong track record in building and deploying high-throughput, AI-driven experimental platforms across multiple materials classes. You will be instrumental in establishing an ecosystem-level initiative for materials innovation, fostering industry adoption, and propelling Singapore to the forefront of materials innovation.

The Challenge & The Vision:

The "Compressed 21st Century" demands that we accelerate the development of new materials for sustainability, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and other critical technologies. IMRE is committed to creating a future where AI and automation conduct scientific experiments at a level beyond human intelligence, compressing decades of progress into months. We are seeking to find a strong technical leader who can turn this vision into reality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Platform Leadership: Spearhead the design, development, and implementation of cutting‑edge automated experimental platforms for materials synthesis, characterization, and testing.
• Accelerated Discovery: Drive the integration of AI, machine learning, and computational materials science with experimental workflows to accelerate the discovery and optimization of novel materials across diverse classes (e.g., polymers, ceramics, metals, composites).
• Industry Adoption & Impact: Cultivate strong partnerships with industry leaders to ensure the successful adoption and commercialization of new materials and automated discovery platforms. Demonstrate clear pathways for industrial translation and economic impact.
• Team & Capability Building: Recruit, mentor, and lead a high‑performing team of scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
• Ecosystem Development: Play a crucial role in building and expanding a national‑level ecosystem for automated materials development, collaborating with universities, research institutes, and government agencies.
• Strategic Direction: Contribute to IMRE’s strategic roadmap for materials innovation, identifying emerging trends and shaping future research priorities.

We are Looking For:

• Proven Leadership: A Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline, with substantial experience in a leadership role within a leading university, research institution or industry setting.
• Platform Builder: Demonstrated strong track record in successfully building, deploying, and managing automated experimental platforms (e.g., high‑throughput synthesis robots, autonomous labs) for materials research.
• Industry Acumen: Extensive experience in driving industry adoption of new materials or technological platforms, with a strong understanding of commercialization pathways and intellectual property management.
• Multi‑Material Expertise: Experience with a wide range of materials classes and experimental techniques.
• AI/ML Integration: Deep understanding and practical experience in integrating AI, machine learning, and data science methodologies into experimental workflows for accelerated discovery.
• Collaboration Champion: Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to foster national and international collaborations.
• Visionary: A forward‑thinker with a passion for materials innovation and a commitment to making a tangible impact on scientific progress and economic growth.

Why IMRE?

At IMRE, you will have the unique opportunity to work with world‑class talent and state‑of‑the‑art facilities. You will be empowered to lead transformative projects that address global challenges and contribute to Singapore’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing and deep technology. Your work will directly shape the future of materials discovery and have a profound impact on industries and society.

The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.