MOE START Scheme

Organisation/Company SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (SIT) Research Field Agricultural sciences Biological sciences Chemistry Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Singapore Application Deadline 18 Oct 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Applied Research Fellowship
The Applied Research Fellowship aims to provide doctoral candidates who are about to complete or have recently completed their studies an opportunity to engage in advanced training and/or research at an overseas university for one year.
Besides financial support, awardees will also receive academic mentorship.
Upon completion of the Fellowship, awardees will be considered for Assistant Professorship.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Singapore citizen
Doctoral candidates who have recently completed or are about to complete their studies in a discipline under the supported areas for START below
Excellent academic record plus a high degree of proficiency and motivation for selected research area
Have been accepted or have applied for a postdoctoral training at a leading overseas university in a research area that is aligned with SIT’s supported areas
A keen interest in an academic career
Value of Fellowship
The Fellowship provides
Monthly stipend
Overseas maintenance allowance
Return economy airfare
Conference and fieldwork grants
Overseas medical insurance
Fellows will also each be assigned a SIT faculty mentor throughout their post-doctoral training and have opportunities to participate in faculty development programmes.
The fellowship is tenable for one year. On an exception basis, a two-year programme may be supported.
Service Commitment
One year for every year of sponsorship.
Application Process
Applications are open throughout the year via the various links below. Applications received before 15 January 2026 will be considered for the 2026 intake.
Interview by the respective clusters for shortlisted applicants will be conducted throughout the year.
Final Interview by the Panel for shortlisted applicants for the 2026 intake will commence in Mid-March to End April 2026.
Awards will be finalised by July 2026.
Supported Areas for START - Food, Chemical and Biotechnology
Sustainable and Functional food: Sustainable food systems and circular food economy - alternative proteins, upcycled ingredients); AI and automation in food manufacturing - smart sensors, digital twins, and AI-driven food quality control and processing; Food safety - supply chain tracking/monitoring, blockchain
Biotechnology: Host strain screening and engineering for microbial bioprocess development; microbial physiology and adaptation for industrial applications; high-throughput screening and automation for strain optimization; bioprospecting for novel microbial hosts, enzymes, and metabolites to support sustainable biomanufacturing.
(Bio)pharmaceuticals: Processing science and technology for bio- and chemical transformations, separations, purifications and formulation applied to pharmaceuticals manufacture; modelling of processing steps and whole processes to support innovation, design, optimisation and control for manufacturing operations.
Process control: process modelling, control, and optimization, with applications in chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing; data-driven modelling and machine learning applications in process industries; advanced process control (APC); model predictive control (MPC); digital twins and real-time process monitoring and control; process analytical technology (PAT); process intensification and sustainability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr