Senior Forensic Scientist (Fire Research), Forensics COE

HTX (Home Team Science & Technology Agency); Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HTX Forensics Centre of Expertise in Singapore seeks a Senior/Forensic Scientist (Fire Research) to lead cutting-edge research on battery and electrical fire safety, translating insights into deployable capabilities for public safety.

The role demands hands-on experimentation, collaboration across disciplines, and managing multiple workstreams while upholding data integrity, safety and cybersecurity. Two-year contract with potential tenure is possible.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in material science, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience in fire science and energy technologies, especially battery systems.
• Hands-on with battery testing equipment (ARC, battery cyclic tester, impedance meters).
• Familiarity with fire safety codes, standards, and risk assessment.
• Experience with material characterisation techniques (SEM, FMEA) and computational modelling is a plus.
• Strong research methodology, project execution, and report writing skills.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, cross-functional teams, including after-hours support.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead research initiatives from concept to delivery.
• Develop and validate methodologies for battery-related fire science.
• Collaborate with national and international stakeholders.
• Mentor junior scientists and ensure data integrity and safety.
• Translate operational needs into deployable forensic capabilities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Technical writing

Independent work

Cross-functional

Education

Tertiary qualification in materials science/engineering

Tools

Accelerating Rate Calorimeter

Battery cyclic tester

Impedance meters

Job description

What The Role Is

HTX is Singapore's Science and Technology agency that brings together diverse scientific and engineering capabilities to develop transformative, operationally ready solutions for public safety. As a statutory board under the Ministry of Home Affairs, HTX works at the forefront of science and technology to empower the Home Team with cutting-edge capabilities. Guided by our mission to amplify, augment and accelerate the Home Team's advantage, we are committed to keeping Singapore the safest place on planet Earth.

What The Role Is

HTX is Singapore's Science and Technology agency that brings together diverse scientific and engineering capabilities to develop transformative, operationally ready solutions for public safety. As a statutory board under the Ministry of Home Affairs, HTX works at the forefront of science and technology to empower the Home Team with cutting-edge capabilities. Guided by our mission to amplify, augment and accelerate the Home Team's advantage, we are committed to keeping Singapore the safest place on planet Earth.

The Forensics Centre of Expertise (CoE) in HTX plays a critical role in strengthening Singapore’s Home Team forensic capabilities through science, technology, and innovation. Leading a global shift in forensic science, the CoE’s mission extends beyond solving crimes by harnessing innovative technologies to revolutionise investigations, enhance public safety, and keep Singapore ahead of an evolving threat landscape.

We are seeking a motivated and technically strong Senior/Forensic Scientist (Fire Research) to join the HTX Forensics CoE. The jobholder will lead, identify, and actively contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at enhancing fire safety and investigation capabilities. The role focuses on battery-related fires, electrical fires, and other emerging fire scenarios, approached from a rigorous scientific perspective.

Key responsibilities include the design, conceptualisation, development and implementation of innovative methodologies and approaches that transcend conventional approaches, frameworks, and workflows.

The ideal candidate is hands‑on, scientifically grounded, and comfortable working across multidisciplinary teams to translate operational needs into robust, deployable forensic capabilities.

What You Will Be Working On

• Conduct horizon scanning to identify novel scientific approaches/technologies/ solutions and develop game‑changing or new capabilities (e.g. CFD models for battery or electrical fire scene reconstruction; novel fire suppression strategies) to enhance and support Home Team Departments and allied agencies.
• Contribute to technical road‑mapping, and develop a deep understanding of battery operating principles, degradation, and failure mechanisms, battery or electrical fire behaviour, and associated technologies and equipment, as well as proficiency in fire science analytical instruments, with the expectation of developing into a subject matter expert in battery‑related fire science and other emerging new energies (sustainability and clean energy technologies).
• Independently spearhead research initiatives from concept to delivery, including method development, validation, field trials, performance evaluation, troubleshooting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Support technology readiness assessment and transition of R&D outputs into operational deployment.
• Forge collaborations with both national and international stakeholders, contributing to the advancement of HTX’s interests, and foster a robust network with pivotal stakeholders in Home Team Departments, as well as within HTX.
• Cultivate partnerships with forensic counterparts, academia, industry peers, vendors, and other research partners and solution providers on both local and global scales, driving the innovation of fresh methodologies, practices or products.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior scientists or project team members to facilitate collective progress.
• Ensure adherence to quality, safety, data integrity, cybersecurity, and ethical research practices in all development activities.

What We Are Looking For

• Possesses a tertiary qualification in material science, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Relevant industry or research experience in fire science, lithium-ion battery and other emerging energy technologies and systems, and/or fire investigation, with strong knowledge of battery/energy storage systems, including cell components, battery pack configurations, charging & discharging mechanisms, voltage–current (V–I) characteristics, and thermal runaway mechanisms.
• Hands‑on experience with using battery testing related equipment such as Accelerating Rate Calorimeter, battery cyclic tester, impedance meters etc.
• Proficiency in fire safety design, practices, relevant codes/standards/guidelines related to batteries, sustainability and clean energy, and/or electrical fires.
• Experience in material characterisation techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), AI‑driven approaches, and/or computational methods such multi‑physics computational modelling on fires will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of research methodology, and practical experience in execution of scientific research projects in academia and/or industry.
• Able to work in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment, manage multiple concurrent technical workstreams, and address operational exigencies beyond conventional office hours.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and technical writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• All new hires are appointed on a two‑year contract in the first instance and will be assessed and considered for permanent tenure over time, based on performance. As part of the shortlisting process for this role, you may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.
• All applicants will be updated on the status of their applications within 4 weeks upon closing of the advertisement.