Job Purpose

The Senior Research Fellow/Research Fellow for Design Factory will play a pivotal role in identifying opportunities and problems that others choose to ignore and solve it with innovative and ingenious solutions that defy convention using proven technologies and innovations. Collaborating closely with faculty, industry partners, researchers, and students, we will co-create impactful, practical, and commercially viable products that bridge the gap between technologies and customers, encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions..

Key Responsibilities

Applied Research and Innovation

• Leads Research Fellows (RFs) and Research Engineers/Assistants (RE/RAs) in the end-to-end development and productisation of solutions, including experimental design and prototype validation.
• Lead and manage projects focused on product innovation, including, Artificial Intelligence, renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable materials, and carbon reduction technologies.
• Explore emerging technologies, frameworks, and practices to advance product solutions in industries.
• Establishes challenging yet achievable project goals; conducts structured reviews to ensure timely delivery of milestones and project deliverables.
• Champions thought leadership in research and development, driving innovation across the organization.
• Oversees facility planning and design, encompassing layout, equipment, utilities, and resource allocation, while developing business plans and ensuring adherence to budget and timelines.
• Identifies, defines, and resolves complex, non-obvious problems within existing systems and processes through rigorous analytical thinking.
• Cultivates strategic relationships with industry partners and vendors in support of research initiatives.
• Mentors and develops team members; provides leadership in scheduling, task allocation, and performance monitoring.
• Co-supervises student projects in collaboration with academic staff, fostering a strong research pipeline.
• Maintains comprehensive Laboratory and Project Risk Assessments in full compliance with Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) regulations.

Industry Engagement

• Collaborate with industry partners to co-create innovative products that enhance their portfolio and align with strategic business goals.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in Product Innovation to position SIT as a key partner in Design Thinking, New Product Development and Product innovation.
• Foster partnerships with businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders to develop impactful projects that enhance environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
• Technical professionals who will work with local enterprises to frame projects, identify capabilities needed from the industry ecosystem, IHLs and centres. 
• Involve in industry engagements, help to bring in higher value-added projects for the centres in SIT, Polytechnics and ITE. 

Project Management

• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of sustainability-related projects, ensuring timely completion and high-quality outcomes.
• Secure funding for research and innovation projects through grant applications and proposals.
• Monitor project progress, budgets, and milestones, providing regular updates to stakeholders.

Professional Development and Expertise

• Stay updated with developments in sustainability innovation, including new technologies, regulations, and industry practices.

Teaching and Mentorship

• Supervise and mentor students in industry projects, providing technical guidance and fostering an applied learning environment.
• Contribute to the development of product development curricula by integrating industry insights and best practices.

Job Requirements

• PhD with a minimum of 10 years of relevant industry or research experience; or
• Bachelor's or Master's degree with a minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience.
• Deliver high-quality and professional ethics with passion for business development and managing customer relationships.
• Strong business acumen, project management experience and results-oriented with a strategic mindset.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills and able to adapt in a fast-paced business environment.
• Good experience in Product Management: Develop and implement strategies for integrating sustainability and energy efficiency into the product lifecycle, from conception to market launch.
• Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills.
• Experience in writing project proposals and grants will be an added advantage.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of industry practices to bring industry perspective to SIT.
• Keen interest in innovation projects, with demonstrated ability in developing solutions to technical problems.
• Strong supervisory skills and enjoy working closely with students in an educational environment.
• Demonstrate proficiency to keep abreast of development in the field and pursue professional certification programs. Possess industrial certifications in relevant areas will be an added advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strong understanding of the business challenges faced by industries and the market landscape in Singapore and the region.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with industry partners, students, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional and multidisciplinary environment.
• Proactive approach to continuous learning and professional development in the sustainability field.
• Proficient in technical writing and presentation
• Possess good analytical and critical thinking skills
• Shows good initiative and takes ownership of work undertaken