Research & Development

Research & Development
There are a wide variety of jobs available in research & development (R&D), for the public and private sector. The former includes agricultural and food sciences, engineering and technology, biomedical sciences, and natural sciences. For the private sector, there is ongoing research in the manufacturing and services sector. There is also diversity in terms of researchers – teams come from all countries and work in public-sector research institutes and corporate R&D labs.

Job opportunities
Fresh graduates can look forward to jobs in some of the following companies:

• Public sector:
  • Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore
  • DSO National Laboratories
  • A*STAR
  • National Healthcare Group
  • Singapore Bioimaging Consortium
  • SingHealth
• Private sector:
  • Siemens Pte Ltd
  • Philips Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd
  • Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd
  • Hitachi Semiconductor Singapore.

Jobs for fresh graduates include:

• Researcher: involved in the conceptualisation or creation of new knowledge, products, processes, methods or systems, or involved in the management of research projects as a research scientist or engineer.
• Full-time postgraduate research students: Master’s or PhD students involved in research projects
• Non-degree researchers: involved in the research process at a more practical level.
• Technician: puts technical knowledge to use in tasks under the supervision of researchers
• Support staff: positions such as craftsmen, secretarial or clerical while participating in research projects.

Most of the research-based jobs require a postdoctoral degree with a relevant major in university, but there are some entry-level exceptions, such as the position of a research officer, where you will need an upper second class honours bachelor degree as a prerequisite.

Jobs in R&D require you to possess relevant knowledge, good communication skills and the ability to work well in teams.

Useful links

• A* STAR