Scientist, Metal & Ceramic Forming

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research, SIMTech's MCF group is seeking a motivated research scientist to lead powder flow forming projects and guide junior staff in a dynamic, cross-disciplinary setting.

You will design and optimize slurry forming experiments, refine heat-treatment steps, and apply SEM, XRD and mechanical testing to characterize materials for semiconductor, automotive and biomedical applications.

Qualifications

• PhD required in Materials Science and Engineering or related discipline; final-year candidates may apply.
• Minimum 3 years of research experience in metal or ceramic forming related work.
• Strong expertise in slurry forming processes (gel casting, tape casting, slip casting, etc.) and sintering techniques.
• Excellent hands-on skills in slurry forming and characterizations (metallurgical sample prep, microscopy, mechanical testing).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform R&D work on powder-based slurry forming technologies (tape casting, slip casting, gel casting, screen printing, sinter-based AM).
• Design experiments and optimize heat treatment for debinding, sintering and densification.
• Apply advanced material analysis methods (SEM, EDX, XRD, mechanical testing) for microstructure and properties.
• Develop materials and processes for new slurry forming technologies and applications.
• Document findings in journals, internal reports, or patents; manage timelines and budgets.
• Collaborate with industry partners and academic institutions on joint projects.
• Mentor and develop junior team members; ensure safety and quality in labs and pilot scales.

Skills

Slurry forming

Mechanical testing

Metallurgical prep

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AI in manufacturing

Job description

Overview

MCF group in SIMTech is seeking a motivated, innovative and experienced research scientist for the Powder Flow Forming section, to lead and support both research and industry projects. This role involves designing and developing innovative materials and processes through multiple slurry forming technologies to support industrial applications in semiconductor, automotive, biomedical, and energy sectors. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, supervise junior staff, and gain new skills as well through on-the-job training.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform R&D work related with powder-based slurry forming technologies, such as tape casting, slip casting, gel casting, screen printing, and sinter-based additive manufacturing.
• Design experiments and optimize heat treatment processes for powder-formed parts, to achieve reliable debinding, sintering and densification.
• Implement advanced material analysis methods (SEM, EDX, XRD, mechanical testing, etc) for microstructure and property characterization.
• Design and develop innovative materials and process for new slurry forming technologies and emerging applications.
• Document R&D findings in high-impact journals, internal reports, or patent filings.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with industry partners and academic institutions for joint research projects.
• Provide mentorship, guidance and career development to team members.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards in laboratory and pilot-scale operations.

Job Requirements

• PhD in Material Science and Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Chemistry Engineering, or other relevant discipline. Candidates in their final stages of their PhD programme are invited to apply.
• Minimum 3 years of research experience in metal and/or ceramic forming related work.
• Strong expertise in slurry forming processes (gel casting/tape casting/slip casting, etc) and sintering techniques.
• Excellent hands‑on skills on slurry forming processes and characterizations (metallurgical samples preparation, microscopy, mechanical testing, etc.).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Preferred Skills

• Familiar with CAD tools, e.g., SolidWorks.
• Familiar with the use of AI tools in manufacturing.
• Proactive team player to solve problems via collaborations.
• Project management experience will be an advantage.
• Ability to learn new skills willingly and quickly.
• Experience with computational modelling of powder forming and sintering.