Assistant Director / Senior Manager (R&D Capability Development)

Roles and Responsibilities

We are seeking for an Assistant Director / Senior Manager, to be part of our R&D team, to strive towards our Mission in establishing Singapore as a leading global maritime research centre of excellence in Next Generation Port, Smart Shipping, and Green Technologies.

You will support the Deputy Executive Director and work with a team of R&D managers to strengthen R&D collaborations between our maritime industry and academia partners.

What you will be working on:

The key responsibilities will include:

Strategy Planning

. Map out latest developments and carry out gap analyses in science and technologies relevant to maritime domain, and identify new emerging areas for Singapore's maritime strategic interests

. Develop strategies, initiatives and programmes for the translation, deployment, commercialisation, and internationalisation of maritime R&D through engaging government agencies, Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), Research Institutes (RIs), maritime companies and other relevant stakeholders

Initiatives and Programmes

. Plan and implement R&D programs and initiatives

. Evaluate R&D proposals submitted or led by IHLs/RIs

. Oversee and manage performances of maritime Centres of Excellence and Programme Partners

. Manage awarded projects and budgets, including variations to budget/ project duration/ project-lead, collation of reports, and review of completed projects.

Engagement

. Engage potential overseas IHLs/RIs to identify synergies, coordinate maritime R&D collaborations, and facilitate multilateral R&D engagements for impactful joint initiatives.

. Engage companies in the maritime industry to understand their technology and business needs, partnering with key stakeholders to showcase local R&D capabilities, and facilitating research opportunities by harmonizing industry needs with local R&D capabilities

. Drive partnerships between the research ecosystem and industry, and to catalyse technology commercialisation, focusing on industry collaboration projects and translation platforms in the maritime domain

. Plan and organise engagement visits to project partners

Other Duties:

. Oversee R&D processes to ensure compliance with established funding policies and procedures

. Manage internal R&D capability development and resourcing

. Represent SMI in R&D matters, when required or any other ad hoc duties assigned.

Qualification and Experience

a. Background in science and engineering fields with 5 years of relevant working experience, of which 3 years are in supervisory and developmental capacity

b. Experience in R&D strategy formulation, technology fore-sighting / road mapping, technology translation, and/or good working knowledge of the R&D landscape in Singapore.

c. Experience with grant governance and administration e.g. funding guidelines or compliance requirements

d. Strong interest in applied science and technology R&D and research community engagement

Skills

a. Proficient in Microsoft Office and grant management software (e.g. Oracle Netsuite)

b. Good analytical skills, with an ability to take a strategic perspective when formulating proposals and recommendations

c. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills for effective engagement of senior stakeholders, partner agencies, IHLs/RIs and companies

Proven planning and organisational abilities.