Research positions in higher education refer to roles dedicated to advancing knowledge through systematic investigation and experimentation. These jobs, often called research jobs, form the backbone of academic innovation, where professionals design studies, collect data, analyze results, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals. In Singapore, a global research hub, these positions have grown significantly since the early 2000s, fueled by government investments exceeding SGD 20 billion in research and development (R&D) by 2025. Universities like the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) host thousands of researchers, contributing to breakthroughs in areas like artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, and sustainable energy.
Unlike teaching-focused roles, research positions emphasize original contributions, often grant-funded and collaborative. For instance, a typical project might involve developing new materials for clean energy, aligning with Singapore's Smart Nation initiative.
Research positions vary by level, each with distinct duties. Research Assistants (RAs) support senior researchers by conducting literature reviews, running experiments, and managing data—ideal entry points for Master's graduates. Research Fellows and Postdoctoral Researchers lead sub-projects, mentor juniors, and apply for funding, requiring independent thinking.
Senior roles, like Principal Investigators (PIs), oversee labs and secure multimillion-dollar grants from the National Research Foundation (NRF).
To land research jobs in Singapore, candidates need strong academic credentials. A PhD in a relevant field is standard for mid-to-senior positions, while Bachelor's or Master's holders start as RAs.
Required Academic Qualifications: PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) for Research Fellows/Postdocs; MSc (Master of Science) minimum for Assistants.
Research Focus or Expertise Needed: Specialized knowledge in high-priority areas like biotech, AI, or climate tech, matching Singapore's RIE2025 plan.
Preferred Experience: 3+ peer-reviewed publications, grant writing success, lab management.
Skills and Competencies:
Actionable advice: Build your profile by volunteering for university projects and attending workshops on grant applications.
Singapore's higher education sector offers abundant research jobs, with over 10,000 positions across public universities and institutes like A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research). NUS, ranked top 10 globally, and NTU emphasize interdisciplinary work. Salaries are competitive: SGD 4,000-6,000 for RAs, rising to SGD 8,000+ for postdocs, often with relocation support for internationals.
Government initiatives like the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 (RIE2025) plan allocate SGD 25 billion, creating stable funding. Learn how to thrive in similar roles via postdoctoral success strategies or tips for research assistants.
Research careers progress from RA to Postdoc (1-3 years), Research Fellow, and eventually Professorship. Track record in high-impact publications (h-index >10) and grants is crucial. In Singapore's merit-based system, networking at events like Singapore International Chemistry Conference pays off.
Tips: Customize applications with a 2-page research proposal; leverage winning academic CVs. For broader opportunities, explore research jobs globally.
Ready to pursue research jobs in Singapore? Browse current openings on higher ed jobs, gain insights from higher ed career advice, search university jobs, or post your vacancy via post a job to attract top talent.
If you are searching for research jobs in Singapore, you need more than a keyword dump of “scientist” ads. You need openings that match how universities actually hire: postdoctoral fellowships, research assistant and associate roles, research fellows, lab technicians, research coordinators, and faculty researcher lines. Academic Jobs (AJ) is built for that search. Every listing on this page is already filtered to university and institute research roles, so you spend time on fit — lab, method, contract length, and location — instead of wading through unrelated industry postings.
Job seekers come here with a clear intent: find a funded research post they can apply to this week. Use the filters above to narrow by city, institution, employment type, or a keyword such as CRISPR, ethnography, or clinical trials. On a country page the region is pre-set, so the count in the heading is the live number of research openings in Singapore, not a global total. That is the number you should trust when you are deciding whether to relocate, stay local, or keep a worldwide search open.
AJ aggregates research jobs from universities, medical schools, national labs, and research institutes in one board. That matters because most research hiring is still posted on a single employer career site and easy to miss if you only check two or three campuses. A postdoc in public health, a research technician in a core facility, and a research professor line will not sit on the same faculty page — they will sit on AJ if the employer posted or syndicated the role. You can also save a job alert with the same research filters so new fellowships hit your inbox instead of disappearing after a short closing window.
Compared with general job boards, AJ’s research collection is scoped to higher education. You will still see staff research and faculty research together, which is useful when your next step could be either a fellowship or a research-track faculty post. Pair this page with Science Jobs if you want scientist titles, or Professor Jobs if you are targeting a teaching-and-research chair. For most candidates asking “where do I find research jobs in Singapore that I can actually apply for?”, the short answer is this listing: live count, research-only filters, and a board that employers in higher education already use.
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