Professional Officer in Industrial Biotechnology

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is Singapore’s first University of Applied Learning, offering industry-relevant degree programmes that prepare its graduates to be work- and future-ready professionals. Its mission is to maximise the potential of its learners and to innovate with industry, through an integrated applied learning and research approach, so as to contribute to the economy and society.

The university’s unique pedagogy integrates work and study, embracing authentic learning in a real-world environment through collaborations with key strategic partners. Its focus on applied research with business impact is aimed at helping industry innovate and grow. SIT’s centralised campus within the Punggol Digital District features a vibrant learning environment where academia and industry are tightly integrated with the community.

SIT espouses an applied learning approach and offers degrees with a strong focus on science and technology. Our faculty work closely with industry on translational research and innovation, as well as provide consultancy on solutions to industry challenges. This well-established nexus with industry endows our graduates with deep skills and work-ready training experience – attuning them to the needs and demands of the future economy.

SIT is also establishing strategic live test beds known as ‘Living Labs’ both within and beyond its Punggol campus to support greater experiential learning and strengthen its applied research offerings. The university’s pool of experts works with multi-disciplinary teams to drive the horizontal technology enablers required to support SIT’s strategic translational research.

The Professional Officers Division (POD) houses a centralised pool of academic staff under the Professional Officers scheme. Professional Officers bring specialised and deep technical expertise developed through extensive industry experience. They provide a critical industry perspective to student learning and applied research, complementing the academic expertise of faculty by translating industry practices and real-world applications into the curriculum.

The Professional Officer (Industrial Biotechnology) will work closely with faculty, students, as well as internal and external stakeholders to strengthen operational and translational capabilities. The role supports:

• The Bioprocess Innovation Platform (BIP) and related research activities, including feedstock processing, fermentation, downstream processing, and prototype sample preparation at laboratory and pilot scales;
• Industry-facing project execution and translational delivery in industrial biotechnology;
• Applied learning and Continuing Education and Training (CET) activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with faculty and internal stakeholders to ensure the smooth planning and execution of BIP-related activities and projects.
• Manage and support operations of the pilot-scale microbial bioprocess facilities (Bioprocess Innovation Platform, BIP), including project- and operation-related procurement; consumables planning and resource allocation; utilities management (scheduling, operation, troubleshooting, maintenance and repair coordination); analytical and process data capture, analysis and documentation; project documentation, reporting and follow-up actions; waste management and disposal coordination; laboratory safety and compliance.
• Provide hands-on technical support across feedstock processing, fermentation (up to 500L), downstream processing, and prototype sample preparation.
• Coordinate and manage external engagements for BIP, including technical services; service contract work; collaborative research projects.
• Lead or co-lead technical work packages in applied research and innovation projects with industry partners where appropriate.
• Strengthen SIT’s Industrial Biotechnology capability by supporting end-to-end translational delivery across upstream, bioprocess, and downstream domains.
• Contribute to CET delivery, especially laboratory sessions for credit-bearing micro-credentials in Industrial Biotechnology, including lab manual development and maintenance; experiment design and execution; troubleshooting; assessment and lab report management.
• Support teaching and supervision in applied learning activities, including laboratory classes and student projects (Final Year Projects, Capstone, IWSP, etc.).
• Supervise, train, and mentor facility users on safe and effective operation of equipment, workflows, and experimental procedures.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field. A Master’s degree, PhD, and/or relevant professional certifications are advantageous.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant industry or pilot-scale experience in fermentation, bioprocess development and operations, downstream processing, scale-up, or related biomanufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated strong hands-on competence in equipment operation; process development and troubleshooting; SOP development and implementation; laboratory safety and compliance; analytical and process data handling.
• Practical experience in managing or supporting shared facilities, pilot-scale operations, or translational project workflows.
• Experience in coordinating across multiple stakeholders for technical project delivery.
• Strong mentoring and supervisory skills, with an interest in working closely with students in an academic environment.
• Ability to contribute to applied learning, applied research, and industry collaboration.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, and relevant industrial certifications.
• Strong commitment to maintaining a culture of safety and compliance.

Desirable: Familiarity with upstream strain or enzyme engineering, and its interface with process translation. Familiarity with lab-scale fermentation and downstream processing, and process scale-up. Proficient in operations and analytics related to HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS and FTIR. Experience in CET delivery, industry training, or competency-based education.

Key Competencies

• Strong technical ownership and operational mindset;
• Hands-on troubleshooting capability;
• Effective stakeholder engagement and communication skills;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across functions and teams in a dynamic environment;
• Strong mentoring and supervisory capability;
• Good technical writing and communication skills;
• Resourceful, proactive, and self-driven;
• Strong commitment to safety, compliance, and good operational practices.