Senior/Principal Scientist, Gut Microbiome and Healthy Longevity

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

SIFBI, a research institute under A*STAR, invites an outstanding scientist to establish and lead an independent programme at the interface of nutrition, gut biology and healthy longevity. You will work in a highly collaborative environment with access to clinical partners, cohorts and advanced microbiome technologies.

The appointment level is commensurate with qualifications and experience. You will build a multidisciplinary team, publish in leading journals and foster external collaborations to

Qualifications

• PhD in microbiology, microbiome science, biochemistry, computational biology or related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in gut ecosystem biology and host-diet interactions.
• 8+ years of post-PhD research experience with strong publication record.
• Track record in securing competitive research funding or potential to do so.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a strategic research programme aligned with SIFBI/A*STAR priorities.
• Design translational research integrating mechanistic, preclinical and computational approaches.
• Translate discoveries into interventions for nutrition, microbiome and host health.
• Build, mentor and lead a multidisciplinary team of researchers and students.
• Publish in leading peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences.
• Establish collaborations with academic, clinical and industry partners.

Skills

Gut biology expertise

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Scientific leadership

Publication track record

Education

PhD in microbiology / related field

Tools

AI / ML

Metagenomics

Job description

About The Role

The Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), a research institute under A*STAR, conducts research focusing on understanding how nutrition, the gut ecosystem and host biology interact to influence health, resilience and healthy longevity across the life course.

Long Description

We are seeking an outstanding scientist to establish and lead an independent research programme at the interface of nutrition, gut biology and healthy longevity. The successful candidate will work within a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, leveraging access to clinical partners, population cohorts, advanced microbiome technologies and physiologically relevant model systems. The scientist is expected to generate fundamental insights into mechanisms underlying health and disease, while translating these discoveries into interventions and solutions that improve human health outcomes.

The appointment level will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a strategic research programme aligned with A*STAR's priorities in Precision Health and Healthy Longevity, securing competitive research funding to support programme growth and sustainability.
• Design and lead translational research integrating mechanistic, preclinical and computational approaches to elucidate biological pathways linking nutrition, the gut ecosystem and host physiology to health span-related outcomes.
• Translate scientific discoveries into deployable nutrition, microbiome and biologically informed interventions that support health and well‑being.
• Build, mentor and lead a multidisciplinary team of research staff, postdoctoral fellows and students.
• Publish impactful research in leading peer‑reviewed journals and present findings at major international scientific conferences.
• Establish and strengthen collaborations with academic, clinical and industry partners in Singapore and internationally.

Contribute to scientific leadership, capability development and strategic initiatives within SIFBI and A*STAR.

Job Requirements

Must-have

• A PhD in microbiology, microbiome science, biochemistry, computational biology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in gut ecosystem biology, including host‑microbe, dietary‑microbe and host‑diet interactions, with experience in translating mechanistic insights into testable hypotheses and intervention strategies.
• Around 8+ years of post‑PhD research experience in academia, industry or both, with a strong publication record, including first‑author papers in high‑impact journals.
• A track record of securing competitive research funding or clear evidence of the ability to do so.

Good-to-have

• Experience in AI, machine learning or computational modelling, or in integrating computational and experimental approaches (e.g., metagenomics, multi‑omics data integration).
• Experience in nutrition science, nutritional physiology or bioactive ingredient research, including the development or evaluation of dietary, nutritional or microbiome‑based interventions.
• Experience with physiologically relevant gut models.
• Experience in early‑life, ageing or other life‑course questions, or in working with industry on nutrition and food innovation.