Interested applicants are invited to apply directly at the NUS Career Portal. Please note your application will only be processed if you apply via NUS Career Portal.
NUS Career Portal link: https://careers.nus.edu.sg/job/Research-Assistant-%28Human-computer-interaction%2C-Teen-AI-Safety-and-Digital-Well-Being-Project%29%2C-DID/32381-en_GB/
We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Job Description
We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant to join a funded research project on AI safety and youth digital well-being in Singapore. The project focuses on designing empowerment-oriented tools that support healthier teen-mobile technology relationships without relying on surveillance, monitoring, or enforcement.
This role is ideal for someone interested in research and design at the intersection of technology, well-being, and youth. The successful candidate will contribute to a project that combines empirical research, co-design, community engagement, and the development of real-world systems.
Role responsibilities
• Support and help lead studies with teens and relevant stakeholders in Singapore
• Assist with or help organize co-design workshops and community engagement activities
• Identify design and technical requirements for the project
• Contribute to the design, development, and field deployment of a system
• Support broader research activities, including data collection, synthesis, coordination, and documentation
Depending on the candidate’s experience and background, the role may involve different levels of responsibility in research design, project coordination, analysis, prototyping, and writing.
Who should apply
This position would be a strong fit for candidates interested in human-computer interaction (HCI), teen digital well-being, online safety, AI safety, CSCW, and human-centered technology design. We especially welcome applicants with a strong interest in youth-related issues, whether through research, volunteering, education, mentoring, social work, community engagement, design, or related experience.
Candidates who bring prior experience working with youth or teens in Singapore, whether through educational activities, mentoring, volunteering, workshops, outreach, or research are most welcome. Familiarity with the Singapore education system, including secondary schools, junior colleges, and polytechnics, would be highly valuable, as would awareness of local digital well-being, online safety, or AI literacy initiatives relevant to young people.
This position may also be a strong fit for candidates considering future PhD study, particularly in interactive systems design, HCI, or related areas. Applicants who would like to pursue graduate study at NUS are welcome to mention this in their cover letter.
Position structure
We are looking for a candidate who can contribute to the project over a longer period, potentially for about one year.
Note: Appointment rank will depend on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and degree background
How to apply
Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter. In your cover letter, please describe your relevant background and explain how you meet the core requirements and at least one of the preferred qualifications. If you have experience across multiple preferred areas, please highlight that as well.
Questions about the position may be directed to jcho@nus.edu.sg
Qualifications
Core requirements
• Strong interest in teen, adolescent, or youth digital well-being, online safety, AI safety, and/or HCI
• Basic understanding of research, design research, HCI, or human-centered technology development
• Motivation to contribute to a longer-term project with real-world impact in Singapore
• Ability to work collaboratively and responsibly with research and community partners
Preferred qualifications
Applicants should ideally demonstrate strength in one or more of the following areas:
• System development, especially experience with web application development using modern frameworks such as React; experience with mobile app development, deployment workflows, or app release processes would be a plus
• HCI, CSCW, co-design research, or community engagement
• Web or app design, interface design, and/or public-facing educational materials
• Research experience, including academic projects, publications, or papers in relevant journals or conferences, especially ACM venues
• Experience working with youth, adolescents, families, schools, or community organizations
