Senior Scientific Manager (NIRBA)

National University of Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Initiative for RNA Biology and its Applications (NIRBA) at the National University of Singapore seeks a Senior Scientific Manager to provide scientific management and portfolio oversight for NIRBA-funded research.

You will align portfolio strategy with priorities, guide study design, monitor milestones, and promote excellence, reproducibility, and translational impact across clusters and satellite programs.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, RNA biology, genetics, biochemistry, genomics, or a closely related field.
• Postdoctoral experience strongly preferred.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience in grant/programme management and budgeting.
• Experience in IRB, MTA, IACUC, or data governance frameworks is preferred.
• Excellent writing and reporting ability.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and shape NIRBA’s research portfolio in alignment with strategic priorities.
• Provide expert guidance on research design, milestones, and deliverables across Clusters and Satellite Labs/ Programmes.
• Promote excellence, reproducibility, innovation, and translational potential within the research portfolio.
• Contribute to scientific reporting for Executive Director, CGT-SC, and other institutional stakeholders.
• Foster cross-project collaboration, data sharing, and alignment with national and international research initiatives.
• Identify scientific risks and recommend mitigation or course-correction strategies.

Skills

Postdoctoral experience

Supervisory experience

Grant/programme management

Research management (IRB/MTA/IACUC)

Excellent writing and reporting

Excellent communication and presenting

Education

PhD in molecular biology or related field

Job description

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Job Description

The National Initiative for RNA Biology and its Applications (NIRBA) is a pioneering national program dedicated to advancing RNA biology research. Established with support from the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore, we unite experts across multiple disciplines to address critical challenges in RNA science and its applications.

NIRBA consists of four Innovation Clusters each designed to address a key challenge in RNA biology. In each Cluster, research teams are assembled from across the three NIRBA Partners (NUS, A*STAR and NTU) to address specific scientific questions. These Clusters are supplemented by shorter term Satellite programmes, put in place where a novel knowledge gap or problem arises.

The Senior Scientific Manager (NIRBA Research Portfolio) provides scientific management andprogramme/ portfolio oversight for NIRBA-funded research. The role ensures that the research portfolio is strategically aligned, scientifically rigorous, and delivering high-impact outcomes.

For more information on NIRBA, visit:https://nirba.sg/

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Personal Responsibilities

• Portfolio Strategy: Manage and shape NIRBA’s research portfolio in alignment with strategic priorities and emerging scientific opportunities.
• Scientific Management: Provide expert guidance on research design, milestones, and deliverables across Clusters and Satellite Labs/ Programmes.
• Research Quality & Impact: Promote excellence, reproducibility, innovation, and translational potential within the research portfolio.
• Reporting & Evaluation: Contribute to scientific reporting for Executive Director, CGT-SC, and other institutional stakeholders
• Collaboration & Integration: Foster cross-project collaboration, data sharing, and alignment with national and international research initiatives.
• Scientific Risk Management: Identify scientific risks and recommend mitigation or course-correction strategies.

Key Team Responsibilities

• Program Management: Monitor progress of Cluster projects, Satellite teams, track performance against KPIs, and support timely delivery of outcomes.
• Funding & Review Processes: Support fund allocations to Clusters and Satellite Labs, competitive grant calls, peer review processes, appropriate fund utilization & outcomes.
• Investigator Engagement: Act as a key scientific liaison with principal investigators and research teams, providing guidance and problem-solving support.

Qualifications

Requirments

• PhD in molecular biology, RNA biology, genetics, biochemistry, genomics, or a closely related field
• Postdoctoral experience strongly preferred
• Supervisory experience
• Experience in grant/ programme management, e.g. budgeting, variation/ virement, progress reporting etc is strongly preferred, ideally from multi-institutional programmatic type grants
• Experience in research management e.g. IRB, MTA, IACUC, GMAC submissions and/ or data governance frameworks etc is preferred
• Excellent writing and reporting ability
• Excellent communication and presentation skills