Research Fellow (Humanities and Social Studies Education Department) [NIE]

Nanyang Technological University; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Institute of Education invites applications for a Research Fellow on a 24-month contract in the Humanities and Social Studies Education Department. The project focuses on Inclusive AI Governance in Southeast Asian cities, examining AI's impact on urban governance, healthcare and elder care, with comparative fieldwork across Singapore and regional cities.

The Fellow will contribute to theory-building, empirical work, and policy-engaged scholarship, coordinating with interdisciplinary

Qualifications

• PhD in Social Sciences, Urban Studies or related disciplines.
• Experience in social science-related projects.
• Experience working in the Southeast Asian context.
• Experience working with a large research team.
• Independence in leading research, organizing fieldwork, and willingness to travel in SEA.
• Experience in writing journal articles, monographs, or op-eds.
• Knowledge of mapping tools is an advantage.
• Experience organizing workshops and conferences is an advantage.
• Southeast Asian language skills are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• To work independently on the research project objectives and deliverables.
• To travel to Southeast Asian cities, organise fieldwork and collect data for the project.
• To analyse data, write reports, and publish journal articles/research papers for the project.
• To coordinate with the PI regarding project work, scheduling and deadlines.
• To coordinate with stakeholders across Southeast Asian cities for research travel, fieldwork and related tasks.
• Help in training undergraduate students to conduct research and fieldwork related to the project.
• Other duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator

Skills

Independent researcher

Fieldwork coordination

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Social Sciences or Urban Studies

Tools

Mapping tools

Job description

The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Fellow on a 24-month contract at the Humanities and Social Studies Education Department.

Project Title: Inclusive AI Governance in Southeast Asian Cities

Project Introduction:

This project advances an interdisciplinary agenda on AI for society, examining how artificial intelligence reshapes urban governance, infrastructures, and everyday life across Southeast Asia. It conceptualises AI as civic and political infrastructure, investigating how institutional arrangements, power relations, and lived experiences shape its societal consequences. A major research theme centres on healthcare and elderly care, exploring how AI transforms service provision, access, care relationships, and the autonomy and wellbeing of older populations. Comparative fieldwork across Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila will examine how diverse urban contexts generate distinct opportunities, exclusions, and ethical challenges. The project’s central objective is to develop an Inclusive AI Framework that connects policy ambitions and technological design to everyday practices and experiences. Through empirical research and collaborative workshops, it will identify adaptable governance principles that enable communities and institutions to meaningfully negotiate and reshape AI systems. An Inclusive AI Index and Handbook will translate findings into practical resources for policy, professional training, and public engagement. The Research Fellow will contribute to theoretically ambitious, empirically grounded scholarship, undertake comparative fieldwork, and engage interdisciplinary collaborators and policy stakeholders. The project offers opportunities to shape debates on inclusive technological futures and socially responsive urban transformation.

Requirements:

• A PhD in Social Sciences, Urban Studies or related disciplines
• Experience of working in social science-related projects
• Experiences of working in the Southeast Asian context
• Experience of working with a large research team
• Independence in leading the research work, organising fieldwork, and ready to travel to Southeast Asian cities for research work
• Experience of writing journal articles, book monograph, op-ed, etc.
• Use and knowledge of mapping tools will be an advantage
• Experience in organising workshops and conferences will be an advantage
• Southeast Asian language skills will be an advantage.

Responsibilities:

• To work independently on the research project objectives and deliverables;
• To travel to Southeast Asian cities, organise fieldwork, workshops and collect data for the project;
• To analyse data, write reports, and write journal articles/research papers for the project;
• To coordinate with the PI in relation to the project work, scheduling, deadline and being an independent researcher to work on the project.
• To coordinate with various stakeholders across Southeast Asian cities for research travel, fieldwork and other related work.
• Help in training undergraduate students to conduct research and fieldwork related to the project.
• Other duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator

Closing Date

Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE