Research Associate – Synthetic Organic Chemistry

About the role

The School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at NTU Singapore is seeking a Research Associate to join the Chiba Group. The position supports a Pfizer‑funded programme focused on sustainable photocatalytic processes for green chemical transformations.

Key responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyse independent experiments in synthetic organic chemistry.
• Lead and coordinate project activities to meet milestones and timelines.
• Prepare weekly progress reports and present updates at group meetings.
• Interpret experimental results to guide research direction and decision‑making.
• Draft manuscripts and publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Assist in developing research proposals and future funding applications.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to students and junior researchers.

Required profile

• Master's degree in Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry or a related discipline.
• Strong research track record in photocatalysis, synthetic methodology development, or sustainable chemical transformations, demonstrated by peer‑reviewed publications.
• Experience designing metal‑free photocatalytic systems for organic synthesis.
• Proficiency in reaction development, mechanistic studies, and optimisation of photochemical/electrochemical processes.
• Knowledge of reaction mechanisms, excited‑state processes, radical chemistry and charge‑transfer phenomena.
• Excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Prior experience mentoring students or participating in industry‑sponsored collaborative projects is an advantage.

Required skills

• Photocatalysis
• Synthetic organic chemistry
• Reaction development
• Mechanistic studies
• Photochemical processes
• Electrochemical processes
• Metal‑free photocatalysts
• Experimental design
• Data analysis
• Manuscript preparation
• Research proposal writing