Deputy Director, Sustainability & Energy

Job Description

ABOUT SERC

Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of A*STAR promotes public sector research and development in the physical sciences and engineering. At SERC, we:

• Support world-class research in A*STAR institutes in a wide range of fields including communications, AI & data science, cybersecurity, modelling and simulations, materials, chemicals, microelectronics, sustainability, energy, manufacturing technologies and metrology;
• Plan and promote research in strategic areas to create knowledge and intellectual property that will drive the development of knowledge-intensive industries;
• Cultivate and engage an extensive network of public sector and industry partners via various programmes to facilitate a seamless flow of technologies from conception to commercialisation.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Deputy Director in the Sustainability & Energy Cluster of SERC is required to strategize, organise, and drive A*STAR's R&D initiatives in decarbonization technologies, such as:

• Low Carbon Energy Sources (e.g. Hydrogen and its associated carriers)
• Electrification (e.g. Energy Storage Systems & Power systems)
• Circular Economy (e.g. lifecycle technologies of polymers, food, and electronic)
• Built Environment (e.g. Alternative materials; Digital Twinning, Modelling & Simulations for infra planning)
• Carbon Services (e.g. Carbon Accounting & Techno-Economic Analysis tools for industry)
• Green Chemicals & Specialty Polymers (e.g. New catalysis processes to lower carbon footprint)

The officer will be part of a dynamic Sustainability & Energy Cluster which shapes public sector research and innovation to deliver economic and societal outcomes for Singapore thru:

• Strategic planning, coordination, and collaborations in Sustainability & Energy R&D with Ministries & Public Agencies (eg. NRF, MTI, NCCS, MND, MSE, EDB, EMA), Research Institutes, Institutes of Higher Learning, and industry sectors
• Long-term R&D planning and stakeholder engagements that shape and contribute directly to the national R&D agenda (eg. RIE 2030)
• Technology Foresighting and Masterplanning to optimise R&D investment portfolio and ensure alignment with national priorities
• R&D programme strategy development and design, which entails convening relevant public agencies, enterprises, and research entities (within A*STAR and from Institutes of Higher Learning) into collaboration programmes, securing necessary management support, and resources for programme execution
• R&D programme execution and management, including working with other A*STAR divisions to plan for subsequent technology translation and commercialisation
• Development and reviews of technology capabilities across all A*STAR Research Institutes
• Research proposals evaluation, project reviews, and management

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• A Background in a technical/engineering discipline, with at least 10 years of related work experience
• Comfortable with delivering outcomes in complex environment within challenging timelines
• Attention to details, Result-oriented, and resourceful, with astute planning and analytical skills
• Ability to think strategically, analyse issues from different angles and devise comprehensive solutions
• Knowledge in a broad range of decarbonization technologies, trends, trade-offs, challenges, and potentials
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Track record of leadership and people development, and ability to mentor junior officers