Research Engineer: Sustainable Polymers & Synthesis

A*STAR Research Entities (A*STAR); Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ISCE² at A*STAR seeks a motivated Research Engineer to advance adaptive and sustainable soft matter materials from monomer design to functional polymer platforms, collaborating with industry partners to translate chemistry into real-world applications for adhesives, coatings, gels and stimuli-responsive systems.

The role combines hands-on synthesis and polymerisation with thorough material characterisation (NMR, FTIR, GPC/SEC, DSC/TGA, rheology) and rigorous data reporting, within a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in organic synthesis and/or polymer chemistry, with a strong grasp of reaction mechanisms and purification techniques.
• Proficiency with standard characterisation methods (e.g., NMR, FTIR, GPC/SEC, DSC/TGA, rheology).
• Strong problem-solving ability, experimental rigour and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute organic synthesis of novel monomers, crosslinkers and functional building blocks.
• Develop and optimise controlled polymerisation routes (e.g., free-radical, photo-initiated and step-growth chemistries) to deliver target polymer properties.
• Formulate and characterise functional polymer systems, including adhesives, hydrogels/organogels and stimuli-responsive networks.
• Establish structure–property relationships through rigorous chemical, thermal, mechanical and spectroscopic characterisation.
• Support scale-up and process transfer of promising formulations toward pilot and industrial application.
• Maintain meticulous experimental records, and contribute to technical reports, patents and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Present findings clearly to internal teams and industry stakeholders, and uphold laboratory safety, quality and data‑integrity standards.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Polymer chemistry

NMR

FTIR

GPC/SEC

DSC/TGA

Rheology

Experimental rigour

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry/Materials Science

Job description

ISCE² at A*STAR seeks a motivated Research Engineer to advance adaptive and sustainable soft matter materials from monomer design to functional polymer platforms, collaborating with industry partners to translate chemistry into real-world applications for adhesives, coatings, gels and stimuli-responsive systems.

The role combines hands-on synthesis and polymerisation with thorough material characterisation (NMR, FTIR, GPC/SEC, DSC/TGA, rheology) and rigorous data reporting, within a