Laboratory Technologist - Electrical Machines & Drives Lab

About the role

The Electrical Machines & Drives Laboratory (EMDL) at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering needs a Laboratory Technologist to support its day-to-day technical operations. The role ensures the safe and efficient running of high-power electrical equipment, facilitates undergraduate and postgraduate teaching laboratory sessions, and provides administrative and procurement support for lab resources and personnel.

Key responsibilities

• Set up, operate, troubleshoot and maintain three-phase high-power electrical equipment and motor drive systems, including variable frequency drives (VFDs), power converters and associated instrumentation, and carry out scheduled preventive maintenance and coordinate external servicing.
• Manage the full lifecycle of laboratory equipment: prepare purchase requisitions, liaise with vendors, track assets in the university inventory system, and process write-offs or disposal in line with NUS policies.
• Process claims and reimbursements for research staff and students (travel, consumables, conference expenses) through the university financial system, in line with grant and departmental financial guidelines.
• Prepare and set up experimental rigs for teaching sessions, and develop and update lab manuals, experiment guides and safety briefing materials with the module coordinator.
• Act as the primary lab safety coordinator: run regular safety inspections, keep safety records, coordinate with NUS EHS, ensure compliance with high-voltage and electrical safety regulations, and train new users on safety protocols.
• Monitor stocks of components, consumables and tools, and raise purchase orders to replenish them.
• Manage lab access accounts, maintain logbooks, induct new users and support visiting researchers and industrial partners during demonstrations or experiments.

Required profile

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Electrical Machines or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in an electrical engineering laboratory or similar, including operating three-phase power equipment.
• Meticulous, safety-conscious, proactive, able to work independently and in a team, with good communication skills for liaising with students, staff and vendors.

Required skills

• Operating and maintaining three-phase power equipment, motor drives and power converters.
• Familiarity with electrical safety standards such as SS 638, IEC 60364 or equivalent, and high-voltage safety practices.
• Reading electrical schematics, circuit diagrams and equipment manuals.
• Use of test and measurement instruments such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, power analysers and LCR meters.
• Working knowledge of laboratory management systems and university procurement/financial systems is an advantage.