Research Fellow (Engineered Timber & Bamboo - Testing & Standards Dev)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 67,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

National University of Singapore invites applications for a Research Fellow in Engineered Timber & Bamboo, focusing on testing, design data, and standards development for tropical mass engineered timber products. The role spans lab testing, product recommendations, and standards translation for regional deployment.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in timber-related engineering fields, with strong analytical skills, research output, and experience coordinating complex testing programs and

Qualifications

• PhD in related areas such as Timber Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Wood Science and Bamboo Engineering.
• Strong technical knowledge or research experience in Timber or bamboo material testing; Engineered wood products; Structural testing and mechanical characterisation; Timber design standards, especially Eurocode 5 or related international standards.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret experimental data and translate results into practical recommendations.
• Good written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports, research papers, technical documentation, and presentations.
• Strong project execution skills, including the ability to coordinate procurement, logistics, testing schedules, collaborators, and documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous research and produce high-quality technical outputs.
• Open to fixed-term contract.

Responsibilities

• Timber and Bamboo Testing, Grading, and Classification: Conduct mechanical testing of timber, bamboo, lamellae, finger-jointed specimens, and full MET products; determine key material properties and support lamellar strength classification.
• Product Development and Design Data: Develop practical product recommendations, including suitable product sizes and configurations, mechanical design properties, characteristic values, and inputs for design guides.
• Factory Production Control and Certification Readiness: Review international and regional practices for factory production control, quality assurance, audit, and certification; engage with manufacturers, testing laboratories, certification bodies, and stakeholders; develop practical recommendations for product qualification and industry adoption.
• Fire Performance Testing: Conduct fire performance testing and interpret fire-related test data for timber, bamboo, and MET products.
• Standards Review and Eurocode Equivalence: Review relevant international and regional standards, including Eurocode, JIS, ISO, AS/NZS, Malaysian Standards, and China National Standards, to support Singapore standards and Eurocode-equivalent pathways.

Skills

Timber testing

Mechanical testing

Data analysis

Technical reporting

Education

PhD in Timber Engineering

Job description

Job Title: Research Fellow (Engineered Timber & Bamboo - Testing & Standards Dev)

University-Level Unit: College of Design and Engineering

Faculty/Department-Level Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering

Employee Category: Research Staff

Location_ONB: Kent Ridge Campus

Posting Start Date: 10/06/2026

Job Description

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is seeking for highly motivated Research Fellow to join an industry-facing research programme on:

Harnessing Regional Tropical Timber and Bamboo for Sustainable and Durable Mass Engineered Timber Products for the Tropics.

This multidisciplinary project aims to develop and validate sustainable, low-carbon Mass Engineered Timber and Bamboo products for tropical climates, including Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam), Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glued Laminated Bamboo (Glubam), and Laminated Bamboo Lumber (LBL). The work will focus on the use of regional tropical timber and bamboo species to support more cost-effective, durable, and structurally reliable building solutions for Singapore, Southeast Asia, and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Key Responsibilities

Timber and Bamboo Testing, Grading, and Classification

Conduct mechanical testing of timber, bamboo, lamellae, finger-jointed specimens, and full MET products; determine key material properties such as strength, stiffness, density, moisture content, shear, and tensile performance; support lamellar strength classification; analyse results against relevant standards; and translate findings into practical design data.

Product Development and Design Data

Develop practical product recommendations, including suitable product sizes and configurations, mechanical design properties, characteristic values, technical design tables, product summaries, and inputs for design guides. Compare tropical MET products with imported products and map regional performance data to Eurocode-equivalent requirements.

Factory Production Control and Certification Readiness

Review international and regional practices for factory production control, quality assurance, audit, and certification; engage with manufacturers, testing laboratories, certification bodies, and stakeholders; and develop practical recommendations for product qualification and industry adoption.

Fire Performance Testing

Conduct fire performance testing and interpret fire-related test data for timber, bamboo, and MET products.

Standards Review and Eurocode Equivalence

Review relevant international and regional standards, including Eurocode, JIS, ISO, AS/NZS, Malaysian Standards, and China National Standards, to support the development of Singapore standards and Eurocode-equivalent pathways for the use of tropical timber and bamboo.

Why Join Us?

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-impact research programme at the interface of timber engineering, sustainable construction, product development, standards translation, and industry adoption. Successful candidates will gain hands-on experience in mass engineered timber and bamboo product development, collaborate with academic and industry partners, publish in high-quality journals, present at international conferences, and contribute to future sustainable construction practices in Singapore and the region.

Job Requirements

• Possess a PhD degree in related areas such as Timber Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Wood Science and Bamboo Engineering
• Strong technical knowledge or research experience in at least one of the following areas:
• Timber or bamboo material testing/
• Engineered wood products/
• Structural testing and mechanical characterisation/
• Timber design standards, especially Eurocode 5 or related international standards.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret experimental data and translate results into practical recommendations.
• Good written and spoken communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports, research papers, technical documentation, and presentations.
• Strong project execution skills, including the ability to coordinate procurement, logistics, testing schedules, collaborators, and documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous research and produce high-quality technical outputs.
• Open to fixed-term contract.