Research Engineer (Soft Material Acoustic Couplant)

Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Singapore is seeking a candidate to develop innovative materials for wearable ultrasound technologies aimed at improving elderly care. This role involves synthesizing and characterizing soft materials, as well as 3D printing fixtures for device integration. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and experience in 3D printing and material science. Join a dynamic team focused on impactful research and technology application.

Qualifications

• Experience in soft material synthesising and material acoustic property characterization.
• Experience in 3D printing is essential.
• Motivated to learn and work in a multidisciplinary research group.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize soft materials for wearable ultrasound transducers.
• Establish testing protocols for acoustic and biosafety properties.
• 3D print fixtures for wearable ultrasonic transducers.

Skills

Soft material synthesising

3D printing

Material acoustic property characterization

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree

Tools

COMSOL

ANSYS

Job description

Project Overview

The Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC) interdisciplinary research group (IRG) is committed to creating next-generation wearable imaging technologies tailored for aging populations. By combining expertise in wearable transducers, biomedical imaging, materials science, data analytics, and healthcare innovation, WITEC aims to design solutions that will improve quality of life, support preventative medicine, and reduce healthcare burdens. Specific objectives include the development of wearable ultrasound imaging systems for doing cardiovascular echography, AI-powered diagnostic algorithms, and integration with digital health platforms for real-time monitoring and clinical decision support.

WITEC brings together interdisciplinary researchers from MIT and Singaporean institutions, including hospitals and research agencies. Through deep collaboration with local partners, including clinicians, industry, and policymakers, WITEC will ensure that its technological advancements are innovative, clinically validated, and suitable for industrial scale up.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will support interdisciplinary projects focused on developing soft materials and 3D printing fixtures for facilitating attaching customized werable ultrasonic transducers onto the human body. He/She will work under the supervision of the Scientific Director and Postdoctoral Associates in SMART WITEC, with mentorship by principal investigators in Singapore and MIT. The successful candidate’s primary activities include but are not limited to:

• Design, synthesis, and characterizing soft materials, such as hydrogels or elastomers, to serve as biocompatible skin adhesive couplant for wearable ultrasound transducers.
• Fabriate functional gradient acoustic materials to improve the trans-receive effiiency of the ultrasonic transducers.
• Establish experimental protocols for mechanical, acoustic, and biosafety testing, including ultrasonic impedance, adhesion performance, tissue compatibility, fatigue behavior, and long-term stability on skin.
• 3D printing fixgtures for fixing wearable ultrasonic transducers on the human body.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree, or Diploma in a material, mechanics, physics or bioengineering-related discipline.
• Experience in soft material synthesising, material acoustic property characterization.
• Experience in 3D printing is essential ( familiar with Formlab or similar 3D printers).
• Experience in multiphysics modeling software such as COMSOL or ANSYS is an advantage.
• Motivated to learn and work in a multidiciplinary research group.
• Detail-oriented with good organizational and commmunication skills as well as record keeping and time management.
• Interested applicants are invited to send in their full CV/resume, cover letter and list of three references (to include reference names and contact information). We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.