Research Fellow

Who Are We?

We are the University of Cambridge presence in Singapore called Cambridge CARES, sponsored by the NRF CREATE program CAM.CREATE. CARES also hosts industry-funded and other agencies funded projects. Our team is comprised of world-class scientists and engineers working in a vibrant, fast-paced environment with great opportunities for knowledge and skills development.

CARES is leading a new project “Sustainable Manufacture of Molecules and Materials (SM3)”, funded by NRF CREATE programme within the Decarbonisation Grand Challenge. SM3 project is a collaboration with NTU, NUS, CARES & the University of Cambridge and EPFL. The broad aim of the project is to develop novel approaches and technologies for fully de-fossilised routes to complex functional molecules and molecular materials. The project will explore novel chemical transformations for conversion of net-zero feedstocks to building blocks typically used in pharma, agrochem and other end applications. The project will also explore novel synthetic methods for conversion of the building blocks into end-use functional molecules. Novel synthesis technologies (photoelectrochemistry, sonochemistry, mechanochemistry, etc), as well as advanced research methods (AI, chemoinformatics, high-throughput synthesis) and process metrics (LCA and technoeconomic analysis) are included in this large project.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a motivated researcher to work at the interface of cheminformatics, catalytic/reticular chemistry, and digital research. The position combines hands-on laboratory work with computational development. You will contribute to The World Avatar framework by creating ontologies, models, and digital workflows for novel synthesis routes, while also carrying out practical synthesis and characterisation of new reticular structures. We are looking for someone who enjoys bridging chemistry with data science and who can collaborate effectively across experimental and computational domains to advance sustainable molecular manufacturing.

What skills do you have?

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in chemistry, cheminformatics, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Strong background in catalytic/reticular chemistry and modern synthetic methods.
• Proven experience in practical laboratory synthesis and molecular characterisation.
• Experience with cheminformatics tools, computational chemistry methods, or molecular databases.
• Familiarity with ontologies, semantic web technologies, or knowledge graphs (experience with The World Avatar is a plus).
• Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g. Python, Java, or similar), ideally applied to chemistry.
• Ability to work across disciplines and communicate complex ideas to both experimentalists and computational scientists.
• Strong problem-solving skills and an independent, proactive approach.

When is position available and for how long?

The position is available from November 2025 for 1 year in the first instance.

What can we offer you?

• A stimulating working-environment with friendly, highly motivated colleagues.
• Opportunities to develop and implement new ideas in a creative environment.
• A competitive salary in line with your skills and experience.
• A comprehensive medical insurance cover as part of your employment.