Job Title: Research Fellow (Institute of Policy Studies) (33496)
University-Level Unit: Institute of Policy Studies
Faculty/Department-Level Unit: Institute of Policy Studies
Employee Category: Research Staff
Location_ONB: Bukit Timah Campus
Posting Start Date: 24/06/2026
Job Description
Core Responsibilities:
- Leading and shaping research agendas within assigned workstreams, including problem formulation, theoretical framing, and methodological design, in consultation with Principal Investigators
- Independently conducting and overseeing literature reviews, including synthesising international and comparative scholarship to inform study design and policy relevance
- Designing, implementing, and analysing complex quantitative studies, including survey experiments, longitudinal designs, and advanced statistical analyses using SPSS, R, STATA, or equivalent tools
- Taking primary responsibility for the development of survey instruments and experimental designs, including sampling strategies, questionnaire development, piloting, and quality assurance
- Providing intellectual leadership in data analysis, including model specification, robustness checks, interpretation of findings, and translation of results for both academic and policy audiences
- Overseeing fieldwork strategy and data quality, including working closely with fieldwork operations teams to set protocols, review progress, troubleshoot issues, and ensure methodological rigor
- Preparing and leading submissions to research ethics boards, including anticipating ethical risks and designing appropriate safeguards
- Producing high-quality scholarly outputs, including peer-reviewed journal articles, working papers, book chapters, policy briefs, and commissioned reports
- Presenting research findings independently to internal stakeholders, policymakers, funders, and public audiences, and representing the research team in expert discussions as required
- Mentoring junior researchers and research assistants, including providing guidance on research methods, analysis, and writing where appropriate
Ad-hoc Responsibilities
- Contributing intellectually to research grant proposals, concept notes, and funding applications, including methodology sections and impact articulation
- Supporting high-level research events, conferences, and closed-door roundtables, including chairing sessions or serving as discussant where appropriate
- Contributing to the strategic development of research programmes within IPS Social Lab, including identifying emerging research questions or data opportunities
Qualifications
- Have an excellent academic track record, including a doctorate (PhD) in a social sciences discipline from a reputable university
- Demonstrated research independence, including experience leading or co-leading substantial components of research projects
- Strong methodological expertise, particularly in quantitative methods; experience with experiments, surveys, or large-scale datasets is required
- Proven proficiency in statistical or programming software (e.g., SPSS, R, STATA, Qualtrics), with evidence of applied research outputs
Additionally, You Will Be Favourably Considered If You
- Have an interest and/or track record in the fields of Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Biosocial Sciences, Political Science / Public Policy, or Public Health (e.g., reflected through your academic qualifications and / or publications)
- A track record of research outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, working papers, or major policy reports
- Strong academic and policy writing skills, with the ability to translate complex findings into clear, timely, and policy-relevant outputs
- Experience engaging policymakers, practitioners, or funders, and presenting research in professional or public settings
- Intellectual maturity, including the ability to exercise independent judgment on research design, analysis, and interpretation
- Capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of rigor and quality
More Information
Location: Bukit Timah Campus
Organization: Institute of Policy Studies
Department : Institute of Policy Studies
Employee Referral Eligible: No
Job requisition ID : 33496
Req ID: 33496
