"Research Fellow (Atomistic Insights for Polyamide Interfacial Polymerization)"

Job Description

National University of Singapore (NUS) invites applications for a Research Fellow position in Advanced Membrane Science and Engineering for Sustainable Environmental Applications. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Professor Chuyang TANG, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE).

This position is embedded in the Tang Lab’s membrane research program, which focuses on the materials-level design of high-performance nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes through interfacial polymerization, charge and electrochemical modulation, and transport-mechanism-informed membrane engineering. The research targets critical challenges in water purification, desalination, carbon-related separations, and the removal of emerging contaminants.

He/she is required to perform the followings:

• Lead experimental research on thin-film composite (TFC) membranes, with emphasis on polyamide interfacial polymerization control, nanoscale structure formation, and structure–property–performance relationships.
• Design and investigate charged, functionalized, or electrically responsive membrane materials to enhance ion and molecular selectivity.
• Elucidate membrane formation and transport mechanisms governed by coupled effects of size exclusion, electrostatic interactions, hydration phenomena, and interfacial reaction kinetics.
• Apply atomistic modeling and simulations (e.g., DFT, MD, AIMD) to provide molecular-level insights into polyamide interfacial polymerization, interfacial structure evolution, and transport mechanisms, in close integration with experimental observations.
• Develop materials- and mechanism-informed strategies to mitigate permeability–selectivity trade-offs and membrane fouling.
• Publish findings in high-impact journals in membrane science, materials science, and environmental engineering, and present results at leading international conferences.
• Mentor graduate students and contribute to collaborative research within the Tang Lab and across CEE and other departments at NUS.
• Support proposal development, limited teaching-related activities, and academic outreach.

Job Requirements

• Possess at least a PhD degree in materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, or a closely related field.
• At least 2–3 years of relevant postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in membrane materials, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, interfacial polymerization, and/or membrane transport phenomena.
• A strong publication record in membrane materials, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, interfacial polymerization, and/or membrane transport phenomena.
• Hands-on experience in membrane material synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and separation performance evaluation.
• Experience in atomistic modeling and simulations, including density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD), or ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), to investigate polyamide interfacial polymerization, interfacial reactions, or transport mechanisms.
• Experience in data-driven modeling or machine learning applied to membrane materials or separation performance analysis is a strong advantage.
• Candidates with strong experimental backgrounds, or combined experimental–computational expertise, are encouraged to apply.
• Open to a fixed-term contract.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: College of Design and Engineering

Department : Civil and Environmental Engineering

Employee Referral Eligible: No

Job requisition ID : 31386