Job Description

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Job Title: Director, Bioeconomy Innovation Office

Requisition ID: 2463

Posting Start Date: 28/05/2026

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Singapore has identified Bioeconomy as an emerging growth area for chemical sector. As part of this effort, a Bioeconomy Innovation Office will be established to shape the future of bioeconomy R&D in Singapore. The innovation office will focus on building up ecosystem capabilities related to industrial biotechnology, towards various end applications in the specialty chemicals, agrochemicals, consumer chemicals etc domain. Its key mission is to work closely with ecosystem stakeholders such as Government Agencies, Reserach community and Industry to position Singapore as a leading global innovation hub for bioeconomy.

Job Description and Requirements

Director, Innovation Office should:

• Have an advanced degree and/or significant work experience (>10 years) related to industrial biotechnology and its applications in the chemical sector,
• Be able to thrive in fast-paced environments and eager to collaborate with Singapore’s R&D ecosystem to shape timely and high-impact solutions.
• Familiarity with Singapore’s R&D and industry community, and experience in multi-stakeholder engagement preferred.

The PD will be oversee an innovation office responsible for the following:

1. Leadership on technology roadmapping: Develops the national R&D roadmap for bioeconomy, and sets overall research priorities based on domain strategy that MTC EXCO has approved, to ensure the delivery of impactful research and innovative interventions that address the most critical technical and operational industry-defined problem statements on an accelerated timeline. This will be done in consultation with sector and technical leads and ecosystem partners.
2. R&D project origination and management: To actively curate and shape projects in line with FI focus, in consultation with local principal investigators and research performers, for submission to the Programme Committee. Have authority, autonomy and accountability for the effective deployment of resources. Ensure activities are developed and delivered to achieve timely, measurable impacts through active project management in alignment with Sector goals.
3. Grant administration for funding to industry-relevant projects, and managing projects and FI review process, with support from A*STAR Office of Grant Administration.
4. Research Translation: Move existing research outputs toward commercialisation through technology transfer partnerships, facilitating spin-offs and licensing, and providing recommendations on competitive funding proposals to ensure research alignment with commercial viability. This includes supporting agencies to engage and host companies, to facilitate collaborations with our research ecosystem.
5. Ecosystem Development: Engage and convene stakeholders across the value chain to stay abreast of market needs and industry signals, and to build the bio-economy R&D community.

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The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.