Singapore Food Agency

Scientist/Senior Scientist

Fixed TermsClosed

What the role is

The mission of SFA is to ensure and secure a supply of safe food for Singapore. The Agriculture Technology Department (AGT) plans and conducts translational research in agri-inputs, crop management, crop protection, crop improvement and precision agriculture. Leads the development of sustainable farming practices, provides technical assistance to strengthen farm capabilities, while driving the Agritech Translation Programme.

The successful candidate will strengthen SFA’s scientific capability in plant health, pest and disease management, and farm biosecurity, supporting the development and implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes for local vegetable farms and contributing to policy work related to farm biosecurity and management. The role focuses on delivering science-based, risk-informed pest and disease strategies to enhance farm resilience, safeguard plant health, and support Singapore’s food security objectives.

What you will be working on

Lead and support scientific research in phytopathology and entomology, contributing to the design and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for local vegetable farms.
Design and oversee controlled environment and field experiments, ensuring high-quality data and robust experimental designs.
Apply established plant pest and disease diagnostic methods while developing and validating field-based diagnostic techniques to enhance surveillance, facilitate early detection, and improve risk assessment.
Develop and validate advanced monitoring tools, such as hyperspectral imaging, remote sensing, and environmental sensors to enable early pest detection.
Evaluate and support the adoption of non-chemical pest management strategies, as part of integrated pest management research.
Support the development, refinement, and implementation of Integrated Pest Management programmes, offering recommendations on surveillance, biosecurity measures, and pest management practices.
Translate research findings into technical guidelines, advisory materials, and policy-relevant recommendations to support farm advisory programmes and regulatory decision-making.
Manage comprehensive project workflows, including lab and field trials, logistics, procurement, and biosafety compliance.
Ensure compliance with biosafety protocols and data management requirements, supporting the development of SFA’s diagnostic and surveillance capabilities.
Collaborate with IHLs, research institutions, agencies, and industry partners on translational projects, capability development, and knowledge sharing to scale innovation for local agri-industry adoption.
Represent Singapore at international platforms, contributing expertise on crop protection and urban agriculture strategies.
Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisor to support departmental objectives.

What we are looking for

Ph.D. or a Master’s degree in Plant Pathology, Entomology, Plant Sciences, Crop Protection, or related disciplines; or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant applied experience in vegetable crop protection research.
Strong technical background in plant pest and disease diagnostics, surveillance, or management particularly in leafy and fruited vegetable crops.
Knowledge of IPM principles, pest risk analysis, and biosecurity-based approaches to crop protection.
Familiarity with tropical urban agriculture, controlled-environment farming, or soilless systems is desirable.
Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and statistically analyse agronomic experiments.
Strong track record in scientific writing, with peer-reviewed publications in plant pest management or crop protection; experience in preparing technical reports, stakeholder presentations, and grant proposals.
Experience managing large and complex datasets, including the use of statistical software (e.g., R Studio) and data visualization tools.
Proven ability to collaborate with academic institutions, industry partners, and government agencies on joint R&D and translational projects.
Excellent command of written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly and effectively.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and adapt to evolving project needs.
Demonstrated analytical thinking and a systematic approach to problem-solving, coupled with strong leadership and project coordination capabilities.
Able to work independently while contributing effectively in team settings, with a proven ability to engage and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
The candidate must be willing to work outdoors, under the hot sun, and have a strong passion for research and fieldwork.

About your application process

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the job ad closing date, we seek your understanding that it is likely that we are not moving forward with your application for this role. We thank you for your interest and would like to assure you that this does not affect your other job applications with the Public Service. We encourage you to explore and apply for other roles within Singapore Food Agency or the wider Public Service.

About Singapore Food Agency

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is a new Statutory Board formed under the ‘Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) to oversee food safety and security. The SFA will serve as the single point of contact for public feedback on food-related issues, and strengthen management of foodborne disease outbreaks to protect public health. The SFA will also facilitate more business-friendly regulations with oversight of all food safety policies and consolidation of food laboratory capabilities to deepen competencies in food diagnostics, and research and development in food safety.

Learn more about Singapore Food Agency