Research Programme Manager, Healthy Longevity (1-year contract)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine seeks an experienced Manager to lead the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme (HLTRP). You will blend scientific insight with strong project and administrative management, shaping strategy and partnerships to advance ageing research and translational initiatives.

Reporting to the Programme Chair, you will oversee day-to-day operations, manage grants and budgets, and build platforms supporting research, talent

Qualifications

• PhD in life or biomedical sciences or equivalent research experience.
• 12+ years of combined experience in research and administration, or related roles.
• Track record of initiating and delivering projects or initiatives, ideally supporting research programme operations.
• Experience supporting executive leadership at a strategic level, including resource management, people development, and supervision or mentorship.
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to work with senior academics, leadership and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Programme Chair's vision into actionable medium- and long-term plans, develop fundraising strategies and positioning materials, and lead major initiatives from planning to execution.
• Oversee planning of grants, manpower and facilities, direct fund utilisation, and track progress against programme goals with full grant and budget compliance.
• Develop, sustain and grow initiatives to attract, develop and retain talent and build an engaged research community.
• Represent the Programme Chair in key engagements, build partnerships across academic, industry, philanthropic and international collaborators.
• Identify unmet needs and develop new initiatives or change projects, owning business cases, scope, pilots and evaluation.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Grant management

People development

Project delivery

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in life or biomedical sciences

Job description

Company description

The National University of Singapore is the national research university of Singapore. Founded in 1905 as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS is the oldest higher education institution in Singapore

Job description

Job Description

The National University of Singapore's Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine is seeking an experienced Manager to help lead the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme (HLTRP). The programme brings together more than 30 primary and 20 secondary faculty members to advance ageing research and translate it into interventions that extend healthy lifespan. Reporting directly to the Programme Chair, you will combine scientific insight with strong project, stakeholder and administrative management. You will help shape the programme's strategy, oversee its day-to-day operations, and build the partnerships and talent platforms that support NUSMed's priorities in translational research and talent development - and the nation's priority of extending population healthspan.

This is a role for someone who thrives on independence. You will navigate ambiguity, reconcile competing priorities, troubleshoot without close supervision, identify gaps, propose solutions, secure stakeholder buy-in, and see initiatives through from concept to delivery - often building new platforms where none yet exist. As the programme grows, the role is expected to grow in scope and responsibility alongside it. You will also support the Programme Chair in preparing for the RIE2030 Grand Challenge on "Maximising Healthy and Successful Longevity" and the launch of a new university-level institute in 2027.

What you will do

• Programme strategy Translate the Programme Chair's vision into actionable medium- and long-term plans, develop fundraising strategies and positioning materials, and lead major initiatives from planning to execution - aligning the programme's direction with NUSMed, NUS and national priorities, and strengthening its funding and influence.
• Resource management Oversee planning of grants, manpower and facilities, direct fund utilisation, and track progress against programme goals to ensure resources are used effectively and scientific priorities are delivered on time, with full grant and budget compliance.
• Community development Develop, sustain and grow initiatives that support researchers and staff at every career stage - designing, delivering and evaluating each initiative - to attract, develop and retain talent and build an engaged research community.
• Partnerships and ecosystem building Represent the Programme Chair in key engagements, build partnerships across academic, industry, philanthropic and international collaborators, and support colleagues in delivering programmes, conferences and outreach to expand the programme's resources, collaborations and profile.
• New initiatives and change management Identify unmet needs across the programme and the wider longevity field, and develop them into new initiatives or change projects - owning the business case, scope, pilot and evaluation - to keep the programme responsive and positioned for future growth.

Qualifications

What we are looking for

• A PhD in the life or biomedical sciences, or equivalent research experience.
• 12+ years of combined experience in research and administration, or related roles.
• A track record of initiating and delivering projects or initiatives, ideally supporting research programme operations.
• Experience supporting executive leadership at a strategic level, including resource management, people development, and supervision or mentorship.
• Confidence working with senior academics, leadership and external partners, and the ability to bring people with different interests towards a shared goal.
• Strong writing and analytical skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear messages for a wide range of audiences.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to take on whatever the programme needs, including hands-on operational work.
• Familiarity with longevity research or partnership development is an advantage but not required.

Why join us

You will work at the forefront of ageing and longevity science within one of Asia's leading medical schools, shaping a fast-growing programme with real national impact. You will enjoy broad autonomy, direct access to senior leadership, and the opportunity to build platforms that will outlast your tenure - with scope to grow as the programme expands.