Research Engineer

Job Description

The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) is Singapore’s national institute for applied solar energy research. SERIS is a university-level Research Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). SERIS conducts industry-oriented research & development (R&D) in the field of solar photovoltaics. 

As Lab Manager in the NISCM Cluster, you will be overseeing the SERIS Solar Cell Laboratory, an ISO-certified 2000-m2 lab & the largest cleanroom facility on the NUS campus. The lab houses several R&D & pilot-scale equipment for photovoltaics / semiconductor fabrication (see https://shorturl.at/htyAT). You will be in charge of lab management, safety & compliance, and will coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure a safe working environment & enable our dynamic facility to generate cutting edge research.

This position reports to the Director of the NISCM cluster. The cluster’s R&D is focused on developing cost-effective high efficiency (> 26%) solar cells that are suitable for high-volume manufacturing. This includes silicon wafer-based solar cells as well as next-generation perovskite-based solar cells. See https://shorturl.at/rIOP7 to read more about our research activities.

Extended Job Scope:

• Laboratory Management:
o Ensure a safe working environment: Lab briefings for new staff / students, visitors & contractors. Inspect lab daily to identify & mitigate any unsafe conditions. Communicate clearly with lab users & other stakeholders about lab status, issues & emergencies.
o Ensure smooth 24/7 operation: Ensure adherence to lab access rules & safety protocols. Prevent unauthorised lab / equipment access. Identify process, equipment, space or facilities issues & work with stakeholders to quickly resolve, implement solutions & improvements.
o Enable high lab uptime: Coordinate equipment & facilities PM (preventive maintenance).
o Coordinate with stakeholders: Liaise with lab users, vendors, internal procurement, finance, Occupational Health & Safety (OHS), equipment & facilities teams, institute management & others as needed.
• Safety, Compliance & Emergency Response:
o Responsible for overall lab safety including space, equipment & user safety. Support facilities team in managing hazardous chemicals & gases. Good understanding of space & equipment risks within the lab is essential.
o Responsible for maintaining up-to-date documentation for space & equipment (Standard Operational Procedures, Work Instructions, Risk Assessments, etc). Must liaise with vendors / contractors & review their risk assessments, safe work procedures / method statement & Permit-To-Work.
o Respond to emergencies immediately & handle critical situations (e.g. chemical spills, injuries, fire, etc) as per protocol. Appropriate training provided.
o Ensure compliance to statutory requirements, Environment, Health & Safety protocols relating to lab area, equipment & process. Supervise vendors / contractors to ensure safe execution of equipment installation, upgrades, retrofits, hook-up, etc.
o Assist SERIS QESH team with internal / external audits & implement corrective actions.
o Submit monthly reports on lab status & manage regular meetings as needed.
• Laboratory Change Management:
o Understand evolving R&D & management priorities and their implications for lab space & equipment.
o Suggest & support decision-making on lab changes such as space modifications, new equipment, facilities upgrades, etc.
o Provide coordination, admin & hands-on operational support to R&D, equipment and facilities teams to enable new lab capabilities (e.g. equipment testing, move-in, hook-up, commissioning, upgrades / retrofits, decommissioning, facilities upgrades, etc).
• Laboratory Procurement Support:
o Responsible for maintaining chemical inventory, SDS & chemical procurement via NUS LMPRS system.
o Monitor stock of lab consumables & accessories, identify new requirements & assist / initiate procurement.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Degree in Engineering or equivalent, with minimum of 5 years of experience in R&D or manufacturing in the semiconductor, photovoltaics or other relevant industry.
• Prior experience in cleanroom lab/fab environment is essential.
• Prior experience with semiconductor/photovoltaics equipment management, equipment commissioning and/or change management is a big plus.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Good technical knowledge of semiconductor or photovoltaic equipment (PECVD, PVD, wet chemistry, etc) is essential.
• Must have (or be willing to learn) to understand technical drawings and layouts.
• Must have (or be willing to acquire) basic CAD skills
• Knowledge of ISO 9001/14001 and ISO 45001 requirements will be an added advantage.
• Excellent communication (in English), holistic organisational planning and analytical skills required.
• Must be proactive, responsive, and willing to take ownership to solve issues.
• Must be a team player with good interpersonal skills, adept at coordinating with multiple stakeholders.
• Must be able to work independently and drive changes.

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: Solar Energy Research Inst of S'pore

Department : Research Cluster

Employee Referral Eligible: No

Job requisition ID : 23307