Research Engineer, Organic Synthesis and Polymer Chemistry, ISCE2

Job Description and Requirements

About the role

The Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE²) is seeking a motivated Research Engineer to support our research focus in adaptive and sustainable soft matter materials. You will join a multidisciplinary team developing next-generation functional and sustainable materials – from monomer and crosslinker design through to advanced polymer platforms with applications in adhesives, coatings, gels and stimuli-responsive systems. The position bridges fundamental materials chemistry and applied industrial translation, offering the opportunity to work alongside leading scientists and directly with industry partners.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute organic synthesis of novel monomers, crosslinkers and functional building blocks.
• Develop and optimise controlled polymerisation routes (e.g., free-radical, photo-initiated and step-growth chemistries) to deliver target polymer properties.
• Formulate and characterise functional polymer systems, including adhesives, hydrogels/organogels and stimuli-responsive networks.
• Establish structure–property relationships through rigorous chemical, thermal, mechanical and spectroscopic characterisation.
• Support scale-up and process transfer of promising formulations toward pilot and industrial application.
• Maintain meticulous experimental records, and contribute to technical reports, patents and peer-reviewed publications.
• Present findings clearly to internal teams and industry stakeholders, and uphold laboratory safety, quality and data-integrity standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in organic synthesis and/or polymer chemistry, with a strong grasp of reaction mechanisms and purification techniques.
• Proficiency with standard characterisation methods (e.g., NMR, FTIR, GPC/SEC, DSC/TGA, rheology).
• Strong problem-solving ability, experimental rigour and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment.

Desirable

• Experience with functional or sustainable polymers, adhesives, ionic liquids, photopolymers, or debondable/recyclable materials.
• Familiarity with formulation, coating or thin-film processing.
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications, patents or successful industry collaboration.

What we offer

You will work in one of Singapore's foremost public-sector research environments, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant network of academic and industry collaborators. ISCE² is committed to sustainability-driven innovation, and you will play a direct role in translating chemistry into real-world impact.