Assistant Director / Senior Manager (R&D Capability Development)

Roles and Responsibilities

We are seeking an Assistant Director / Senior Manager to be part of our R&D team, striving towards our mission of establishing Singapore as a leading global maritime research centre of excellence in Next Generation Port, Smart Shipping, and Green Technologies.

You will support the Deputy Executive Director and work with a team of R&D managers to strengthen R&D collaborations between our maritime industry and academia partners.

What you will be working on:

The key responsibilities will include:

Strategy Planning

1. Map out latest developments and carry out gap analyses in science and technologies relevant to the maritime domain, identifying new emerging areas for Singapore’s maritime strategic interests.
2. Develop strategies, initiatives, and programmes for the translation, deployment, commercialisation, and internationalisation of maritime R&D through engaging government agencies, Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), Research Institutes (RIs), maritime companies, and other relevant stakeholders.

Initiatives and Programmes

1. Plan and implement R&D programs and initiatives.
2. Evaluate R&D proposals submitted or led by IHLs/RIs.
3. Oversee and manage performances of maritime Centres of Excellence and Programme Partners.
4. Manage awarded projects and budgets, including variations to budget/project duration/project-lead, collation of reports, and review of completed projects.

Engagement

1. Engage potential overseas IHLs/RIs to identify synergies, coordinate maritime R&D collaborations, and facilitate multilateral R&D engagements for impactful joint initiatives.
2. Engage companies in the maritime industry to understand their technology and business needs, partnering with key stakeholders to showcase local R&D capabilities, and facilitating research opportunities by harmonizing industry needs with local R&D capabilities.
3. Drive partnerships between the research ecosystem and industry, catalysing technology commercialisation, focusing on industry collaboration projects and translation platforms in the maritime domain.
4. Plan and organise engagement visits to project partners.

Other Duties:

1. Oversee R&D processes to ensure compliance with established funding policies and procedures.
2. Manage internal R&D capability development and resourcing.
3. Represent SMI in R&D matters when required or any other ad hoc duties assigned.

Qualification and Experience

1. Background in science and engineering fields with 5 years of relevant working experience, of which 3 years are in a supervisory and developmental capacity.
2. Experience in R&D strategy formulation, technology fore-sighting/road mapping, technology translation, and/or good working knowledge of the R&D landscape in Singapore.
3. Experience with grant governance and administration e.g. funding guidelines or compliance requirements.
4. Strong interest in applied science and technology R&D and research community engagement.

Skills

1. Proficient in Microsoft Office and grant management software (e.g. Oracle Netsuite).
2. Good analytical skills, with an ability to take a strategic perspective when formulating proposals and recommendations.
3. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills for effective engagement of senior stakeholders, partner agencies, IHLs/RIs, and companies.
4. Proven planning and organisational abilities.