Research Fellow (Renewable 1-Year Contract)

About the role

The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) is seeking a Research Fellow for a renewable one-year contract to lead a Programme Evaluation study of ComLink+ Progress Packages, a government-funded social programme that helps lower-income families in Singapore achieve stability, self-reliance and social mobility through family coaches, personalised action plans and conditional financial transfers. The study uses administrative data and a longitudinal panel survey and is expected to run until June 2028, with a possible one-year extension.

Key responsibilities

• Finalise the overall quantitative research design of the Programme Evaluation study.
• Develop quantitative survey instruments, including an interviewer-administered annual survey and a self-administered high-frequency data collection platform.
• Develop, code and implement the empirical strategy to identify programme causal effects using administrative data.
• Analyse quantitative data and draft study reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Liaise with and monitor the survey fieldwork vendor and fieldwork team.
• Assist in managing study administration, including IRB, budget and reporting.
• Supervise and delegate tasks to the research associate/assistant and other team members.

Required profile

• A Ph.D. in Economics, Public Policy or a related quantitative social science discipline, or on track to receive it within one year of appointment; candidates without a Ph.D. but with equivalent research abilities may also apply.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applied microeconomics methods, including randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental causal identification.
• Ability to code and analyse large-scale data with at least one econometrics or statistics software package such as STATA or R.

What we offer

• Salary benchmarked to equivalent research fellow or entry-level faculty positions in Singapore, based on qualifications and experience.
• Flexible work arrangements; office presence in Singapore during office hours is required when data access is restricted.
• Co-authorship rights on resulting publications in line with contribution.

Applications go to the Principal Investigator at the SUSS School of Business, including a brief cover note, an academic CV, one relevant paper and links to a job market site or academic profile. Letters of reference are not required initially.