Research Fellow-Country Engagement and Health Systems (Pathogen genomics)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (COP) is recruiting a Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow (Country Engagement and Health Systems) to lead country-level pathogen genomics initiatives in Asia, linking country partners with Singapore-based scientific teams.

You will coordinate cross-country activities, translate genomic findings into policy-ready recommendations, and contribute to manuscripts and grant proposals in a dynamic, multidisciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• MD and Masters or PhD in epidemiology/public health or related field.
• At least 3 years post-degree experience in health systems research with governments and academic partners in Asia.
• Ability to liaise with high-profile stakeholders from government, industry, academia, NGOs and multilateral organisations.
• Strong project management, coordination and analytical skills to manage multiple projects in a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong written and communication skills for academic and policy contexts.
• Familiarity with pathogen genomics, infectious disease surveillance or AI-enabled tools is an advantage.
• Experience in Asia region and in wastewater surveillance, TB or arboviral disease areas preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary regional liaison between COP’s country partners and Singapore-based scientific/technical teams.
• Support design and implementation of country-level pathogen genomics surveillance strengthening programmes.
• Coordinate cross-country technical activities across COP workstreams with regional and country partners.
• Support regional and country-level convenings, workshops or training on pathogen genomics.
• Represent COP and Asia PGI in engagements with development partners, maintaining relationships with government, academic, industry and NGO stakeholders.
• Translate findings into actionable recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to writing scientific manuscripts, grant proposals, reporting and project management.
• Perform related duties including occasional administrative and coordination activities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Education

Medical and Masters or PhD in epidemiology/public health or related field

Job description

Job Description

Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative, Centre for Outbreak Preparedness, Duke-NUS Medical School

The Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness (COP) works to strengthen communicable disease preparedness and response capacity across South and Southeast Asia. COP hosts the Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Asia PGI), a regional network supporting 15 countries to strengthen pathogen genomics surveillance, data use and translation for public health action. Key workstreams include drug-resistant tuberculosis, wastewater surveillance and arboviral disease. COP is recruiting a Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow (Country Engagement and Health Systems) to facilitate various workstreams, linking country partners to scientific and technical teams in Singapore.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Serve as primary regional liaison between COP’s country partners and the scientific and technical teams in Singapore.
• Support the design and implementation of country-level pathogen genomics surveillance strengthening programmes on areas such as but not limited to tuberculosis, wastewater surveillance and arboviral disease.
• Coordinate cross-country technical activities across COP workstreams, working with regional and country partners such as Ministry of Health, national public health institutes and research partners.
• Support and facilitate regional and country level convenings, workshops or training activities on pathogen genomics.
• Represent COP and Asia PGI in engagements with regional and global development partners, maintaining relationships with high profile government, academic, industry and NGO stakeholders.
• Translate technical and scientific findings from pathogen genomics surveillance into clear, actionable recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders, supporting research to policy translation at country level.
• Contribute to writing and preparation of scientific manuscripts, grant proposals and reporting, project management, ethics submissions.
• Perform other related duties incidental to work described, including occasional administrative and coordination activities.

Qualifications

• A combined Medical and Masters (or equivalent clinical and public health qualification) or PhD equivalent qualification in a relevant field such as epidemiology, public health, communicable disease control or a closely related discipline.
• At least 3 years of post-degree experience supporting health systems research and development programming with governments and academic partners in Asia.
• Able to maintain a professional demeanour and high level of comfort working with high profile stakeholders from government, industry, academia, NGOs and multilateral organisations.
• Possess strong project management, coordination and analytical skills, with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Possess strong written and communication skills in academic and general writing, presentation, team communication and engagement of stakeholders.
• Track record of applied research outputs, technical delivery, and effective communication with academic, public health and technical stakeholders, commensurate with appointment level.
• Familiarity in pathogen genomics, infectious disease surveillance, public health systems or AI-enabled tools is an advantage.
• Experience working in the Asian region and on wastewater surveillance, tuberculosis and/or arboviral disease areas preferred.

Candidates with substantial applied research/practice experience and evidence of teaching, mentorship or capacity development may be considered for faculty position in the School.