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