Research Assistant - Asian Languages & Cultures (Rebana Singapura Project)

About the role

The National Institute of Education (NIE) is hiring a Research Assistant on a 7-month contract within the Asian Languages & Cultures Department. The project, titled "Preserving the Beat: Rebana Singapura as Intangible Heritage and a Tool for Social Cohesion", studies the history, cultural significance and contemporary role of Rebana Singapura, a uniquely Singaporean adaptation of traditional Malay percussion, and aims to document it as intangible heritage while examining its role in social cohesion.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Principal Investigator in organising, managing and analysing research data.
• Review and organise interview transcripts, survey responses, field notes and other materials so the dataset is complete and systematically documented.
• Code and carry out thematic analysis of qualitative data, identifying key themes, patterns and relationships.
• Assist with synthesising findings from different data sources and interpreting them.
• Carry out targeted archival or literature research where needed to support analysis and context.
• Maintain records of research materials and outputs in line with research ethics, data management and archival requirements.
• Help prepare research reports, archival submissions, presentations and publications, and perform other data analysis, documentation and reporting tasks as required.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Malay Studies or a related field.
• Strong interest in Malay cultural heritage, traditional performing arts or community-based cultural research.
• Proficiency in English and Malay to analyse and interpret data in both languages.
• Ability to work independently, handle large volumes of data and work with confidential or sensitive materials.

Required skills

• Familiarity with qualitative research methods, including coding, thematic analysis and interpretation of interview, survey and observational data.
• Proficiency in organising, cleaning and coding qualitative data, including transcripts.
• Experience with qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo, or willingness to learn it.
• Digital tools for data management, documentation and research coordination.
• Strong written communication and analytical skills.

Applications (internal and external) are made through Workday; only shortlisted candidates will be notified, and the closing date is 14 calendar days after posting.