Research Fellow / Research Assistant - JL(1147)

Research Fellow / Research Assistant Mixed-Methods Behavioural Insights Study: Second-hand Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Public Residential Estates

The Project

SIT, in collaboration with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), is conducting a mixed-methods behavioural insights study of second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure in public residential estates. The study aims to (i) document smokers’ routines, spatial patterns, and behavioural archetypes; (ii) measure population-level attitudes, perceptions, and values regarding SHS exposure from neighbours; (iii) co-develop socially acceptable interventions with residents and community stakeholders; and (iv) pilot and evaluate selected interventions. The team is led by Associate Professor Walter Theseira (Principal Investigator, SUSS), with Co-Principal Investigators Emeritus Professor Ho Kong Chong (NUS) and Associate Professor Jean Liu (SIT).

Methods and Tasks

The study comprises four work packages: (1) qualitative research, including ten exploratory focus group discussions (FGDs) with smokers and non-smokers and 50 ethnographic “walk-with” interviews with smokers in HDB neighbourhoods; (2) large-scale door-to-door surveys — a general population survey (n ≈ 3,000) and a targeted survey of residents affected by SHS (n ≈ 1,000) — fielded by a survey firm under the research team’s direction; (3) co-solutioning engagement sessions and co-design workshops with residents, grassroots leaders, and community stakeholders; and (4) small-scale piloting and evaluation of interventions in selected neighbourhoods. Work packages (2) and (4) are subject to the grantor’s budget and approval.

The Research Fellow/Research Assistant will work closely with the PI and Co-PIs to:

• Coordinate and oversee fieldwork, including participant recruitment, scheduling, conduct of FGDs, walk-with interviews and engagement sessions, and management of transcription
• Support research ethics (IRB) applications and compliance; conduct literature reviews and analyses of existing administrative and complaints data
• Code and analyse qualitative data; support questionnaire design, sampling, and statistical analysis of survey data
• Draft progress documentation, reports, and presentations for stakeholders
• Coordinate across the PIs and liaise with the grantor

Requirements

• Research Fellow: PhD in economics, psychology, sociology, public health or policy, or a related behavioural or social science. Research Assistant: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Training or experience in qualitative research (focus groups, interviews, ethnography) and/or quantitative survey research; mixed-methods experience is an advantage
• Proficiency with qualitative analysis software and/or statistical software.
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to produce polished reports and presentations for policy audiences.
• Well-organised and able to manage fieldwork logistics independently; comfortable conducting fieldwork in residential estates, including some evenings and weekends.
• Prior experience on policy-relevant research, and proficiency in Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil to support fieldwork (is preferred).