Scientist

Singapore Food Agency; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental agency for food security in Singapore seeks a candidate with expertise in applied plant physiology. The role involves leading research to optimize crop resilience and productivity through data-driven assessments. Responsibilities include managing experimental trials, collaborating with academic and industry partners, and translating technical findings for stakeholders. Ideal candidates should have a Ph.D. or Master’s degree and experience in tropical agriculture. This position emphasizes collaboration, analytical skills, and effective communication.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in relevant fields; Bachelor's with significant experience accepted.
• Expertise in plant-environment interactions focusing on yield and resilience.
• Experience in controlled environment experiments and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead research in crop growth dynamics and resilience.
• Manage project workflows, trials, and data analysis.
• Translate research into technical advisory materials.

Skills

Plant physiology research

Data analysis (R, Python)

Experimental design

Collaboration with stakeholders

Scientific writing

Education

Ph.D. or Master’s in Plant Physiology, Crop Science, Life Science

Bachelor’s with 5 years applied research

Job description

What the role is:

The mission of SFA is to ensure and secure a supply of safe food for Singapore. The Agriculture Technology Department (AGT) plans and conducts translational research in agri‑inputs, crop management, crop protection, crop improvement, and precision agriculture. Leads the development of sustainable farming practices, provides technical assistance to strengthen farm capabilities, while driving the Agritech Translation Programme.

The successful candidate will strengthen SFA’s scientific capability in applied plant physiology, focusing on characterising crop performance across diverse production environments to ensure resilience and productivity. By delivering robust, data‑driven assessments, the candidate will bridge the gap between primary research and field application, supporting both technical translation and strategic policy initiatives.

What you will be working on:

• Lead research initiatives in plant physiology, focusing on crop growth dynamics, stress responses, resource use efficiency, and yield optimisation across diverse production environments.
• Oversee controlled‑environment and multi‑site trials, including the development of standardised experimental protocols to ensure consistency and scalability in crop performance evaluations.
• Quantify plant performance using physiological, morphological, and yield‑based indicators with environmental data, supported by robust statistical analysis.
• Translate scientific data into technical advisory materials and policy‑relevant inputs, providing farms with evidence‑based strategies to improve crop resilience and productivity.
• Manage end‑to‑end project workflows, including trial planning, logistics, procurement, data management, and compliance with biosafety and experimental protocols.
• Foster partnerships and collaborations with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), research bodies, and industry stakeholders to drive translational research and cross‑sectoral knowledge exchange.
• Support horizon scanning and technical evaluation of emerging technologies relevant to plant performance and Singapore’s agri‑food systems.
• Represent Singapore at international platforms, contributing expert insights on plant performance and advance vegetable production systems.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisor to support departmental objectives.

What we are looking for:

• Ph.D. or a Master’s degree in Plant Physiology, Crop Science, Life Science, or a related discipline. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant applied research experience will also be considered.
• Strong technical background in plant‑environment interactions and physiological stress responses, with a focus on yield and resilience in leafy and fruited vegetable crops.
• Experience in designing and executing controlled environment and/or field experiments, with sound understanding of experimental design and statistical analysis.
• Prior experience in tropical agriculture, urban farming, or Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is highly advantageous.
• Experience applying robust statistical frameworks, including experimental design validation, multivariate analysis, and data modelling to interpret complex plant‑environment datasets using tools such as R or Python.
• A strong track record of technical and scientific writing, including peer‑reviewed publications and the ability to translate technical findings for diverse stakeholders and policymakers.
• Experience collaborating with academic institutions, industry partners, and government agencies on joint R&D and translational projects.
• Demonstrated ability to distil complex scientific concepts into clear, impactful narratives for diverse stakeholders and policy‑makers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and adapt to evolving project needs.
• Demonstrated analytical thinking and a systematic approach to problem‑solving, coupled with strong leadership and project coordination capabilities.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively in team settings, with a proven ability to engage and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• A strong commitment to applied research, with the physical readiness to conduct extensive fieldwork in tropical outdoor and greenhouse environments.

About Singapore Food Agency

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is a new Statutory Board formed under the ‘Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) to oversee food safety and security. The SFA will serve as the single point of contact for public feedback on food‑related issues, and strengthen management of foodborne disease outbreaks to protect public health. The SFA will also facilitate more business‑friendly regulations with oversight of all food safety policies and consolidation of food laboratory capabilities to deepen competencies in food diagnostics, and research and development in food safety.