Research Fellow (Soft Functional Materials)

The School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) provides a vibrant and nurturing environment for staff and students to carry out inter-disciplinary research in key areas such as Computational Materials Science, Characterisation Materials Science, Defence Composite Materials, Functional Composite Materials, Energy, Nanomaterials, Low Dimensional Materials, Biomaterials Materials, Biological Materials, Bioinspired Materials and Sustainable Materials.

For more details, please view https://www.ntu.edu.sg/mse/research.

We are seeking a highly motivated and interdisciplinary Research Fellow to support the development of advanced soft functional materials and interfacial systems. The role will involve the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymeric and supramolecular materials, with emphasis on analyte transport, interfacial adhesion, soft surface interactions, and functional response. The successful candidate will contribute to NTU’s research in advanced materials and soft device-related platforms by bridging polymer science, supramolecular chemistry, and interfacial engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, synthesize, and characterize soft functional materials, including supramolecular polymers, hydrogels, elastomers, and related interfacial materials.

• Develop material systems for regulating solvation, diffusion, and adhesion behaviors of solid-state analytes on soft surfaces.

• Investigate structure-property relationships governing analyte transport, surface interaction, responsiveness, and mechanical performance in soft material systems.

• Design and optimize responsive, self-healing, and reconfigurable materials for interface-related applications.

• Conduct chemical, physical, and mechanical characterization of materials and interfaces using appropriate analytical techniques.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers to integrate advanced materials into sensing, analytical, or soft device platforms where relevant.

• Assist in manuscript preparation, conference presentations, grant development, and reporting to funding agencies and collaborators.

• Mentor junior researchers and students, and support general laboratory management, procurement and equipment coordination where required.

Job Requirements:

• PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Demonstrated research experience in polymeric materials, supramolecular materials, hydrogels, elastomers, soft matter, or related areas.

• Strong background in material synthesis, structural design, and characterization of functional soft material systems.

• Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable: supramolecular chemistry, responsive materials, self-healing materials, interfacial materials, coacervate systems, polymer networks, soft bioelectronics, or flexible sensing platforms.

• Familiarity with mechanical, chemical, and structural characterization methods for soft materials and interfaces.

• Strong publication record in reputable journals and the ability to independently drive research tasks to completion.

• Good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.