Senior Assistant Director (Technology Translation)

At MSE and our family of agencies – PUB, NEA, and SFA – we drive sustainability and resilience initiatives that improve the everyday lives of Singaporeans. As part of the MSE Family, you will be at the forefront of innovation, leading efforts to safeguard water resources, protect public health, and ensure food safety. Through partnerships across sectors, we tackle evolving challenges while fostering an inclusive, safe, and supportive workplace. Join us in shaping Singapore’s sustainable future and making a lasting impact on the everyday lives of generations to come. The role is for a Senior Assistant Director in the Science and Technology Planning Division (STPD). You will support the strategy and master-planning work in Science & Technology (S&T), particularly efforts to translate R&D output into industrial impact. These efforts range from overseeing the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) Urban Solutions and Sustainability (USS) Domain funds, working with MSE Family (MSE-F) agencies to develop S&T masterplans with a good understanding of the industries and economics, reviewing RIE R&D proposals to enhance the translation proposition and to strengthen local sustainability industry in addressing national imperatives. STPD uses S&T as an enabler to support the overall MSE vision of creating a sustainable, resource-resilient and climate-resilient Singapore. S&T topics are broad, ranging from water resources, resource circularity, climate adaptation to food security. You will be part of a dynamic team that drives the strategic translation of MSE-F research output into commercial and operational applications, addressing Singapore’s national imperatives. Responsibilities As a member of the STPD team, your job scope includes: • Lead research translation strategy development through comprehensive reviews of business landscape, market trends and technology translation processes across MSE's sustainability domains. • Oversee the RIE Urban Solutions and Sustainability Domain funds in conjunction with NRF and MND. This includes secretariat work, R&D management and reviewing funding proposals. • Lead the planning of innovation and enterprise (I&E) efforts across MSE-F to maximise synergies and accelerate research-to-market pathways. • Facilitate the matching of R&D output to technology providers and support the adoptions through industry and regulators engagement. • Lead the productisation efforts of MSE-F R&D outputs through the USS Translation Fund and other funding mechanisms, for First-of-A-Kind (FOAK) deployment. Requirements • A degree in relevant fields such as engineering, natural sciences or sustainability areas. • 2 or more years of experience in the S&T, business development or adjacent expertise in sustainability domains would be an advantage. • Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with deep understanding of innovation ecosystem and technology translation processes. • Ability to apply systems thinking and understand complex technology-market dynamics across sustainability domains. • Experience in R&D management and Government Ministry coordination work would be beneficial. • Critical and logical thinking for assessment for funding proposals. • Excellent writing, communication, interpersonal and presentation skills with ability to present complex ideas clearly and concisely.