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

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The National University of Singapore is seeking a Research Fellow in Engineered Timber & Bamboo to advance sustainable construction. The role focuses on testing and developing low-carbon timber products tailored for tropical climates.

Ideal candidates should have a PhD in relevant fields and possess strong analytical skills, contributing to both research and practical design recommendations. This position offers exposure to high-impact projects, with possibilities for publication and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Possess a PhD degree in related areas such as Timber Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering.
• Strong technical knowledge or research experience in timber or bamboo material testing.
• Good written and spoken communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mechanical testing of timber, bamboo, and full MET products.
• Develop practical product recommendations and mechanical design properties.
• Review practices for factory production control and develop recommendations.

Skills

Timber or bamboo material testing

Engineered wood products

Strong analytical skills

Project execution skills

Education

PhD degree in Timber Engineering or related fields

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 a 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.

The appointed Research Fellow will work closely with academics, industry partners, timber manufacturers, testing laboratories, certification bodies, consultants, and regulatory stakeholders. The project is designed to move beyond laboratory research toward practical deployment, product qualification, regulatory acceptance, and industry adoption.

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