The Scientist / Senior Scientist (Chemical Research) will be part of the Research and Exposure Science Department under the National Centre for Food Science (NCFS), Singapore Food Agency (SFA). The role focuses on driving applied chemical research and developing advanced analytical capabilities to support SFA’s mission of ensuring a safe and secure food supply for Singapore.
Singapore Food Agency
Scientist / Senior Scientist (Chemical Research)
Fixed Terms
Closing on 06 May 2026What the role is
What you will be working on
- Propose and conduct applied chemical research to support food safety operations, risk assessment, and policy development
- Identify problem statements, formulate research hypotheses, and develop science- and technology-driven solutions
- Perform laboratory-based analytical work to ensure high-quality outputs and contribute to capability development
- Develop, optimise, and validate analytical methodologies to address emerging food safety challenges
- Advance and operationalise non-targeted analysis (NTA) platforms for early detection of chemical hazards in food
- Plan and execute screening of food samples to identify known, unknown, and emerging foodborne chemical risks
- Translate research outcomes into impactful outputs, including scientific publications, technical reports, and presentations for diverse stakeholders (e.g. scientific community, policymakers)
- Maintain proper documentation of experimental data, analyses, and project records in accordance with quality and audit requirements
- Support administrative and operational functions, including procurement, project coordination, and preparation of research agreements
What we are looking for
- Postgraduate degree (MSc or preferably PhD) in Chemistry, Food Science, or a related discipline
- At least 2 years of relevant research experience, with a strong track record of scientific publications (for Scientist level; higher expectations for Senior Scientist)
- Hands-on experience in analytical chemistry, including operation of advanced instrumentation (e.g. mass spectrometry, chromatography systems)
- Experience in method development and validation, preferably in complex matrices such as food
- Strong capability in designing and executing research projects independently
- Knowledge or experience in non-targeted analysis (NTA), data analytics, or cheminformatics will be an advantage
- Basic programming skills (e.g. Python, R) are desirable
- Highly motivated, self-driven, and able to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Work Location: National Centre for Food Science, 7 International Business Park, Singapore 609919
About your application process
This job is closing on 06 May 2026.
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