Scientist (Research Planning)

at  SFA Singapore Food Agency

Duties:
The job holder is responsible to work as part of the Research Planning department to drive the;
(a) development of the National Food S&T Masterplan to meet Singapore’s evolving food needs;
(b) oversee the strategy development, implementation, and management of the Singapore Food Story (SFS) R&D Programme and projects awarded under this Programme;
and (c) drive market translation and commercialization of RD&D activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant experience in the Agri-tech environment with research policy and planning, project management, technology fore-sighting and master-planning will be advantageous
• Degree in Agri-tech, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines is preferred
• Familiar with national research initiatives such as the Research, Innovation and Enterprise, and funding support from government agencies
• Experience in the implementation of RD&D projects
• Experience of working in a complex multi-stakeholder environment
• Ability to engage and network at all levels, and work with diverse stakeholders to distill areas of challenges, opportunities and solutioning
• Excellent analytical and conceptual thinking skills, with the ability to frame complex issues, plan, and translate ideas into strategies and plans
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Resourceful and demonstrates initiative
• Good organizational skills
• Ability to work both independently and as a team in a dynamic environment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The job holder will:

• Coordinate and develop the National Food S&T Masterplan.
• Analyze and monitor emerging technologies in the food sector through landscape scans, technology road mapping and stakeholder consultations (e.g., industry, IHLs/RIs, government agencies such as A*STAR, EDB, ESG and overseas thought leaders and experts).
• Conduct technology scans to shortlist technologies with existing research and commercial solutions, and local capabilities to address “make” versus “buy” decisions.
• Analysis of patents relevant to the agri-food ecosystem to prioritize RD&D

opportunities that Singapore should invest in.

• Secure buy-in and approvals from MSE Senior Management and Political

Officer Holders, and NRF to secure funding for RD&D focus areas.

• Prioritization of key industry challenges and organize workshops and

stakeholder engagements to address the challenges.

• Prioritization of RD&D focus areas for RIE funding and grant and project

management of RD&D programme

• Coordinate and manage awarded consortium(s) for the R&D projects to ensure

timely delivery of project milestones and budget utilization. This includes
regular site visits and monitoring of project progress, addressing any
challenges faced by the project teams (e.g., changes to staff composition and
equipment and timeline) and ensuring projects remain relevant to evolving

technology and market conditions.

• Ensuring proper governance and documentation for claims reimbursement and reporting of project progress.
• Develop and implement proper governance and documentation that are aligned to National Research Fund Guide and internal financial/procurement guidelines.
• End-to-end, prioritization, scoping, evaluation, and eventual award of the RD&D

programme. This includes stakeholder engagements, launch of RFPs,
formation of expert panels to evaluate and shortlist proposals, and media

publicity of the award.

• Working with corporate communications to ensure visibility of projects, which

includes drafting of press releases and media Q&A, identifying/creating suitable

platforms with GOHs for announcements.

• Develop platforms and opportunities for market translation and

commercialization of innovative solutions within Singapore.

• Coordinate and participate in discussions with industry players to facilitate

opportunities for RD&D projects with promising research outcomes to enter

commercialization.

• Encourage and partner large MNCs to establish joint R&D programmes or

incubation platforms for promising start-ups and companies to launch
testbeds/pilots and to build local capabilities and capacities through thought
leaders and leading overseas experts, IHL/RIs and companies in relevant fields.

Please refer the Job description for details