Chief Scientific Officer (NIRBA)

Job Title: Chief Scientific Officer (NIRBA) University-Level Unit: Cancer Science Institute of Singapore Faculty/Department-Level Unit: Cancer Science Institute of Singapore Employee Category: Research Staff Location_ONB: Kent Ridge Campus Posting Start Date: 01/04/2026 NIRBA

The National Initiative for RNA Biology and its Applications (NIRBA) is a pioneering national program dedicated to advancing RNA biology research. Established with support from the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore, we unite experts across multiple disciplines to address critical challenges in RNA science and its applications.

NIRBA consists of four Innovation Clusters each designed to address a key challenge in RNA biology. In each Cluster, research teams are assembled from across the three NIRBA Partners (NUS, A*STAR and NTU) to address specific scientific questions. These Clusters are supplemented by shorter term Satellite programmes, put in place where a novel knowledge gap or problem arises.

The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) will manage the organization, structure and communications of NIRBA as directed by the Executive Director (ED) of NIRBA. S/he will be responsible for the day-to-day management of research initiatives and program grants under the innovation clusters. This role demands strategic thinking, strong leadership, and the ability to manage complex scientific and administrative processes in a fast-paced, research-oriented environment.

For more information on NIRBA, visit: https://nirba.sg/

Job Description

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Work with ED and leadership team to shape and implement long-term scientific strategies aligned with NIRBA’s national mission.
• Provide leadership across RNA biology innovation clusters, supporting emerging research and technologies.

Program Oversight:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of NIRBA’s scientific initiatives and research grant portfolios.
• Oversee progress monitoring, milestone tracking, and delivery of outputs from cluster-led projects.
• Facilitate regular reviews with Innovation Cluster Chairs and provide scientific guidance as needed.

Governance & Reporting:

• Prepare technical and strategic reports for the ED, advisory committees, and stakeholders.
• Lead the organization of scientific advisory board reviews, program evaluations, and strategic planning workshops.

Budget & Resource Management:

• Collaborate with the Finance & HR Clusters and assist the ED to develop and monitor NIRBA’s annual scientific budget.
• Review and approve expenditures to ensure alignment with project scopes and funding guidelines.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• Serve as a key liaison between NIRBA, its scientific partners, and national stakeholders.
• Communicate research progress, achievements, and outcomes to partners, funding bodies, and policy stakeholders.

Ensure appropriate publicity to local and international media

Technology & IP Translation:

• Identify emerging intellectual property and work with Cluster teams, IP committee, and partners on technology transfer.
• Inform and coordinate communication and outreach teams of impactful results such as publications, patents, and presentations.

Operational Support:

• Provide input to improve internal processes and digital tools that support research and collaboration.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the ED. Qualifications

Qualifications

• PhD in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, RNA Biology, or a related discipline.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in scientific leadership, ideally within a research funding agency, academic consortium, or biotech research initiative. Relevant industrial experience is desirable but not essential.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale biomedical or translational research progr