You will lead a core team of scientists for the bacteriology section of the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) Research Laboratory. The CDA is a new government agency that is being established by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to oversee Singapore’s communicable disease preparedness, prevention and control, surveillance, risk assessment and outbreak response. The CDA Research Laboratory’s role is to conduct research that can inform public health policies and clinical guidelines via in-house or commissioned projects. The CDA Research Laboratory’s bacteriology section focuses on endemic bacterial diseases of public health importance, emerging and zoonotic bacterial pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance. You will be working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment that would require the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders at the same time.

• Establish and lead bacteriology section of CDA Research Laboratory. • Ensure technical competency of laboratory staff of bacteriology section. • Ensure laboratory equipment and processes comply with national and international technical and biosafety standards. • Work with relevant public health surveillance and national programmes in developing research projects. • Ensure bacteriology section is able to respond rapidly to a nationally important outbreak. • Participate in national and international collaboration and networks which are critical in outbreak response. • Recruit and train laboratory staff. • Design laboratory standard operating procedures. • Conduct in-house research as well as collaborate in research that may involve external partners within Singapore. • Work with public health surveillance and national programmes to develop key research questions, plan operational research activities that may be conducted in-house or via commissioning external partners with relevant expertise. • Participate in and contribute to national and international collaboration and network.

• Minimum tertiary qualifications from recognised discipline preferably Ph.D. in microbiology, biological sciences, or related field. • At least 5 years of relevant experience. • Scientific expertise in bacteriology and antimicrobial resistance. • Ability to build and manage a core team. • Ability to engage stakeholders. • Experience in analysing and communicating research outcomes. • As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.

The Ministry of Health’s (MOH) vision is to champion a healthy nation with our people – to live well, live long and with peace of mind. As an open country constantly exposed to an interconnected world, Singapore faces complex issues in public healthcare. MOH constantly grapples with new challenges brought on by an increasingly globalised world, a rapidly ageing population and rising expectations. MOH’s responses to these challenges include preventing and managing the outbreak of diseases such as SARS and Influenza A (H1N1), designing a healthcare system that delivers care in an integrated and effective manner, growing the capacity and capabilities within the sector, and managing healthcare inflation. As an MOH officer, you will be involved in formulating and implementing policies that guide Singapore’s healthcare ecosystem. You will work alongside a team with varied skills and backgrounds, but with the common goals of (i) promoting good health and reducing illnesses; (ii) ensuring that Singaporeans have access to good and affordable healthcare; and (iii) pursuing medical excellence. Your work will have far-reaching impact on the health and lives of Singaporeans.