Research Fellow (Microbial Engineering for Sustainable Chemical Production) - ZK1

European Commission; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Singapore is seeking a Research Fellow passionate about microbial biotechnology and sustainability. Join a team dedicated to engineering microbial platforms for carbon utilization. Ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. and a proven track record in relevant fields. This position offers opportunities for impactful research and mentoring students.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, or microbial fermentation.
• Experience working with C1 feedstocks is advantageous.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct microbial strains capable of efficient formate assimilation.
• Develop metabolic engineering strategies to enhance production yields.
• Conduct lab-scale fermentation and process optimization.

Skills

Synthetic biology

Metabolic engineering

Microbial fermentation

Technical writing

Communication

Critical thinking

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related fields

Job description

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Organisation/Company SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (SIT) Research Field Biological sciences Chemistry Engineering Chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Singapore Application Deadline 31 Dec 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

As a University of Applied Learning, SIT works closely with industry in our research pursuits. Our research staff will have the opportunity to be equipped with applied research skill sets that are relevant to industry demands while working on research projects in SIT.

Zhou Kang Group at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is looking for a Research Fellow (Postdoctoral Associate) passionate about sustainability and innovation. We welcome applications from candidates eager to shape next-generation biotechnologies. The successful candidate will join our team focused on engineering microbial platforms to convert formate—derived from CO₂—into high-value sustainable chemicals. This project supports Singapore’s vision for a low-carbon future and a thriving circular bioeconomy. This project is funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) Singapore and is based on the unique strains and devices we have developed in the past five years.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful research at the forefront of microbial biotechnology and carbon utilization.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and construct microbial strains capable of efficient formate assimilation.
• Develop metabolic engineering strategies to enhance production yields of target chemicals.
• Conduct lab-scale fermentation, analytics, and process optimization.
• Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students involved in the project.
• Any other ad-hoc duties assigned.

Job Requirements

• A Ph.D.in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, or related fields.
• Proven track record in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, or microbial fermentation.
• Experience working with C1 feedstocks (e.g., formate, methanol) is advantageous.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Able to build and maintain strong working relationships with people within and external to the university.
• Self-directed learner who believes in continuous learning and development
• Proficient in technical writing and presentation
• Possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Show strong initiative and take ownership of work