Postdoctoral Fellowship: Postdoc in CO2 Utilization Technologies — Singapore Institute of Technology

Original title: Research Fellow (in carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization technologies) – ZK2

About the Project

This Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) position, funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), supports Singapore’s sustainability and carbon-reduction goals while addressing energy security. The research develops an integrated process for converting CO2 into valuable chemicals using renewable energy, combining biotechnological and electrocatalytic routes.

About the Role

The Research Fellow, based in SIT’s Food, Chemical and Biotechnology research division and supervised by Dr Zhou Kang, will focus on microbial engineering and bioprocess development. The work involves producing platform aromatics from C2 building blocks using engineered microbial strains, pathway engineering and fermentation strategies, with the ultimate goal of supporting a lab-scale demonstration of the integrated CO2-to-chemicals process.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent laboratory research in microbial fermentation, strain engineering and biotransformation.
• Develop and optimise microbial strains, biosynthetic pathways and cultivation strategies to improve efficiency and product yield.
• Design and support the integration of biotechnological processes into a continuous lab-scale system.
• Characterise and analyse chemical and biological products using advanced analytical techniques.
• Collaborate with project team members and external partners in metabolic engineering, biocatalysis and related disciplines.

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD in chemical engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, synthetic biology or a related field.
• Demonstrated research experience in microbial fermentation, metabolic engineering, biotransformations or bioprocess development.
• Hands-on experience in genetic engineering, molecular biology techniques and strain construction is highly desirable.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication skills for a collaborative research environment.
• A strong publication record is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Python, MATLAB, C++ and emerging agentic AI tools is also advantageous.

Professional Development and What We Offer

• Initial one-year contract, renewable for up to three years based on performance and project needs.
• Opportunities to lead publications, present at conferences and build an independent research profile.
• Strong exposure to interdisciplinary collaboration in sustainable chemical manufacturing and CO2 utilisation research.
• Possibility of joining a start-up on specialty chemical manufacturing in Singapore, led by members of the project.
• Work on a cutting-edge NRF-funded project contributing directly to Singapore’s sustainability and carbon-reduction initiatives.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the Singapore Institute of Technology careers portal for the Research Fellow (CO2 utilisation technologies) vacancy, reference ZK2.

Original vacancy