Research Fellow (Materials Science)

The Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) is looking for highly motivated and experienced candidate to join us as Research Fellow. The candidate will be part of Indonesia–NTU Singapore Institute of Research for Sustainability and Innovation (INSPIRASI), a joint research consortium between founding university partners, NTU, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Universitas Indonesia (UI), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS). Beyond its role as an education hub to facilitate knowledge creation and transfer between NTU and the four Indonesian universities, INSPIRASI is an innovation hub of cutting-edge technology, with a research focus on sustainability, particularly in renewable energy, circular economy and smart cities.

The candidate will join a multidisciplinary research team in the efforts to develop a sustainable novel bioplastics and biomedical products from biopolymer raw materials extracted from plant and animal waste streams currently being worked on in both NTU and Indonesian institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough literature review and generate periodic updates
• Synthesize, functionalize, and characterize sustainable novel bioplastic and biomedical products developed from biopolymer raw materials extracted from plant and animal waste streams
• Carry out to assays and analysis to optimize and control the products functional performance (e.g. assess nutrient delivery effectiveness, degradation profile, mechanical strength)
• Carry out biochemical and biological assays to assess bioavailability and cytotoxicity of the developed products
• Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of the research work
• Develop and optimize protocols
• Supervise junior research staff, undergraduate and graduate student projects
• Manage logistical issues and laboratory inventory
• Coordinate collaborative work within multidisciplinary team and external collaborators
• Generate periodic progress report as required by funding agency
• Disseminate research results in reputable peer-reviewed journals and/or international conference

Job Requirements

• PhD in Materials Science/Chemistry/Chemical Engineering or related fields
• Experience in biomaterial, nanomaterials synthesis, functionalization, and characterization (e.g. TEM, XRD, DLS, FTIR, TGA, ICP, etc.)
• Experience working with biopolymers
• Experience in mammalian cell culture
• A strong track record of research ability and demonstrated contribution to research (e.g., research publications, grant applications, patents)
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to work in a diverse, international, and inter-disciplinary research environment
• Ability to take initiative to improve processes and troubleshoot problems
• Good communication and writing skills
• Ability to work well with multiple competing priorities, manage projects and meet deadlines
• A good team player and able to work independently with minimum supervision

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Hiring Institution: NTU