Job Description

The Research Assistant (RA) will play a pivotal role in establishing the Southeast Asian Digital Humanities (SEADH) Lab and supporting a programme of research at the intersection of digital humanities and Southeast Asian Studies. As Lab Coordinator, the RA will contribute to the development of its research community, activities, and digital infrastructure. Alongside this role, the RA will contribute to the PI's ongoing and emerging research projects in literary studies, helping to coordinate research processes and manage project data and materials.

The position offers a balance of project coordination, humanities research, data management, and digital development. It will suit someone who enjoys both working with people and working independently: coordinating students, researchers, speakers, and Lab activities alongside the systematic work of organising research data and materials. As the Lab develops, there will also be scope for creativity and increasing ownership of particular projects. Depending on the RA's background and interests, there will be opportunities to learn computational and digital research skills or to apply existing technical skills to substantive humanities questions. 

The appointment offers:

1. An all-inclusive fixed salary commensurate with qualifications and relevant work experience;
2. Pro-rated annual leave of up to 28 days per calendar year;
3. Medical benefits; and
4. Flexibility in working hours and arrangements, including opportunities to work from home.

Scope and Job Responsibilities

The RA will coordinate the day-to-day development and activities of the SEADH Lab. This will include establishing and maintaining the Lab website; coordinating talks, workshops, and other events (including speaker logistics); supporting a community of students and collaborators; managing shared research infrastructure; and helping to establish effective workflows for collaborative research. The RA will also coordinate the production of short-form digital publications and other outputs hosted by the Lab and contribute to the development of project-based websites and public-facing digital resources.

Alongside the Lab Coordinator role, the RA will provide research, data-management, and project-management support across several of the PI’s research projects. This work may include collecting and organising bibliographic and textual data; checking and reconciliation of datasets; documentation of research processes; and coordination of interviews and other research activities.

The role is intended to allow increasing independence and responsibility as projects develop. Depending on the RA’s skills and interests, there may be opportunities to take ownership of particular research workflows or digital outputs and potentially to lead the development of a public-facing web-based project.

Required skills and interests:

• Strong ability to work independently: take initiative, identify problems, and carry tasks through from planning to completion.
• Strong written and spoken English.
• Intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn, including the ability to independently acquire new skills and become comfortable with unfamiliar tools, methods, and subject matter as project needs evolve.
• Excellent organisational and project-management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and collaborators while maintaining clear documentation and workflows.
• Careful attention to detail and an aptitude for working systematically, including maintaining well-organised research data, records, documentation, and project materials.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate progress and problems clearly and proactively, keep relevant parties appropriately informed, raise potential issues early, and exercise good judgement when working independently.
• Interest or experience in Southeast Asian studies, literary studies, publishing studies, digital humanities, or related areas is desirable.

Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the humanities, social sciences, information studies, digital humanities, computing, data science, or another relevant field.

More Information

The position is expected to run from January 2027 to June 2029 and will be based at the National University of Singapore. The RA will work closely with the PI and will serve as coordinator of the Southeast Asian Digital Humanities (SEADH) Lab. Renewal beyond the initial 2.5-year appointment will be subject to the availability of grant funding.

As the Lab and its research projects are in an early stage of development, the precise balance of responsibilities will evolve over the course of the appointment. The RA will have opportunities to take increasing ownership of particular research workflows, digital projects, and Lab activities according to their developing skills and interests. The position will also provide opportunities to participate in the intellectual life of the Lab and related research activities, including talks, workshops, and training in digital and computational research methods. 

To apply for this position, please submit the following:

• Curriculum vitae/resume
• A cover letter (1-2 pages) describing how your experience demonstrates the skills and interests outlined above, with reference to specific examples.

Shortlisted applicants may be called for an interview in person.

Closing date for applications is 11:59pm SGT, 29 November 2026.