Research Scientist (Flow Chemistry)

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Singapore is seeking a visionary scientist to lead the Singapore Max Planck Alliance project on sustainable chemical conversion of biomass. This role involves providing scientific leadership, managing multidisciplinary teams, and overseeing lab operations. A doctoral degree in Chemical Science and expertise in flow chemistry and automation are required. The position offers a dynamic research environment and opportunities to engage with international partners.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in flow chemistry and automation.
• Experience in digitalization of chemical synthesis and lab automation.
• Leadership in interdisciplinary research projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team on biomass valorization.
• Oversee design and operation of Automated Flow Chemistry Laboratory.
• Manage project progress and ensure high standards of safety.

Skills

Flow chemistry

Automation

Interdisciplinary leadership

Research coordination

Communication skills

Education

Doctoral degree in Chemical Science or related field

Tools

Chemputer-based platforms

Job description

Overview

The School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) provides a vibrant and nurturing environment for staff and students to carry out inter-disciplinary research in key areas such as Computational Materials Science, Characterisation Materials Science, Defence Composite Materials, Functional Composite Materials, Energy, Nanomaterials, Low Dimensional Materials, Biomaterials Materials, Biological Materials, Bioinspired Materials and Sustainable Materials.

For more details, please view https://www.ntu.edu.sg/mse/research.

Role

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary scientist to lead Singapore Max Planck Alliance for Sustainable Chemical Conversion of Biomass under the CREATE Thematic Programme in Decarbonisation. This role serves as the primary scientific representative of the project and is responsible for executing the research vision in collaboration with local and international partners. The successful candidate will drive the development and scale-up of continuous flow chemical systems and novel catalytic pathways, contributing to global advancements in sustainable chemistry and renewable feedstock utilization. The candidate will also be responsible for cross-institutional coordination, lab commissioning, team building, and research translation, ensuring smooth integration across NTU, MPI, and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership and direction for a multidisciplinary research team focused on biomass valorization and continuous-flow process development.
• Act as the scientific and operational anchor between MPI (Germany) and NTU (Singapore), facilitating effective cross-national coordination.
• Lead the design, commissioning, and operation of the Automated Flow Chemistry Laboratory, including layout design, staffing, and procurement.
• Drive the development and optimization of closed-loop, automated flow chemistry systems for biomass valorization, integrating data-driven design and in-line analytics.
• Ensure effective project management, team coordination, and progress reporting, while maintaining high standards of safety and scientific rigor.
• Mentor and guide a team of 5–6 researchers, including Research Fellows and Assistants.
• Oversee project progress, ensure milestone achievements, and contribute to the drafting of research proposals and industrial engagement activities.
• Disseminate results through high-impact journals, patents, and global conferences.
• Represent MPI in administrative, academic, and strategic discussions, including engagement with CREATE leadership and NRF stakeholders.

Job Requirements

• Doctoral degree in Chemical Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Strong expertise in flow chemistry, automation, Chemputer-based platforms, and closed-loop experimentation.
• Experience in digitalization of chemical synthesis, lab automation, and pilot-scale system development. Strong research portfolio with high-impact publications
• Demonstrated leadership in interdisciplinary or international research projects.
• Experience in managing lab-scale to pilot-scale chemical processes, including automation, scale-up, and data-driven optimization.
• Prior involvement in programme proposal writing, lab layout design, and research coordination is a strong plus.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead diverse teams and manage cross-institutional collaborations.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.