Scientist (FEMT), ISCE2

A*STAR RESEARCH ENTITIES; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR RESEARCH ENTITIES is seeking a Scientist/Senior Scientist with expertise in cementitious materials, aggregates, and construction materials to advance the scale-up and industrial translation of sustainable technologies at ISCE2.

The role focuses on mineralization of IBA into value-added construction materials, pilot-scale processing, and extending research into cement, aggregates, and waste-derived materials for carbon utilization and circular materials.

Qualifications

• PhD in Civil Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field with cement/construction materials focus.
• Strong knowledge of cement chemistry, hydration, supplementary cementitious materials, aggregates, and concrete/mortar performance.
• Hands-on experience with material characterization and testing: XRD, XRF, TGA, SEM, particle-size analysis, mechanical tests, leaching/environmental tests.
• Experience in waste-derived construction materials, recycled aggregates, incineration/biomass ash, carbonation/mineralization, or low-carbon cements is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize cementitious formulations and treatment processes for waste-derived aggregates.
• Characterize aggregates and cementitious materials: physical, chemical, mineralogical, microstructural, mechanical properties.
• Evaluate effects of composition, dosage, additives, curing, and processing on product performance.
• Conduct performance testing of aggregates, mortar, concrete per relevant standards.
• Support scale-up and operation of pilot-scale processes; troubleshoot and analyze data.
• Translate laboratory results to pilot scale and industrial implementation.
• Develop approaches for utilizing industrial residues in construction materials.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, industry partners, labs, and regulators on validation and qualification.

Skills

Cement chemistry

Cement hydration

Aggregates

Concrete formulation

Pilot-scale

Industrial trials

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Civil Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, or Chemical Engineering

Tools

XRD

XRF

TGA

SEM

Particle-size analysis

Mechanical testing

Leaching testing

Job description

Job Description:

A*STAR's Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2) is seeking a Scientist/Senior Scientist with expertise in cementitious materials, aggregates, and construction materials to support the scale-up and industrial translation of sustainable materials technologies.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the mineralization scale-up project, which converts Incineration Bottom Ash (IBA) into value-added construction materials through CO₂ mineralization and subsequent treatment. The project includes a 1 tonne/day mineralization pilot, industrial CO₂ capture and utilization, product qualification, and evaluation of treated IBA for potential construction applications.

Beyond the current scale-up project, the candidate will contribute to the development of new technologies involving cement, concrete, aggregates, industrial residues, and waste-derived construction materials, supporting ISCE2's broader research activities in carbon utilization, waste valorization, and circular materials.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize cementitious formulations and treatment processes for IBA and other waste-derived aggregates.
• Characterize aggregates and cementitious materials, including their physical, chemical, mineralogical, microstructural, and mechanical properties.
• Evaluate the effects of material composition, cement dosage, additives, curing conditions, and processing parameters on product performance.
• Conduct performance testing of aggregates, mortar, concrete, and related construction materials according to relevant standards.
• Support the engineering scale-up and operation of pilot-scale processes, including troubleshooting, process optimization, data analysis, and translation of laboratory results to pilot scale.
• Develop approaches for the beneficial utilization of IBA, biomass ash, and other industrial residues in construction materials.
• Work closely with engineers, scientists, industry partners, testing laboratories, and regulatory stakeholders on technology validation and product qualification.
• Contribute to project proposals, technical reports, publications, intellectual property development, and technology commercialization.

Job requirements:

• PhD in Civil Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline, preferably with specialization in cement, concrete, aggregates, or construction materials.
• Strong knowledge of cement chemistry, cement hydration, supplementary cementitious materials, aggregate properties, and concrete/mortar formulation and performance.
• Hands-on experience with relevant material characterization and testing techniques, such as XRD, XRF, TGA, SEM, particle-size analysis, mechanical testing, and leaching/environmental testing.
• Experience in waste-derived construction materials, recycled aggregates, incineration ash, biomass ash, carbonation/mineralization, or low-carbon cementitious materials would be advantageous.
• Experience in pilot-scale development, process scale-up, industrial trials, or technology commercialization would be highly desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with industrial and external partners.

Desired Profile:

We are looking for a candidate who combines a strong scientific understanding of cement and aggregate materials with a practical engineering mindset. The candidate should be comfortable working across laboratory research, pilot-scale demonstration, and industrial implementation, and be motivated to translate sustainable materials technologies from research into real-world applications.