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-Fellow-%28photocatalytic-membrane-for-water-purification%29/32379-en_GB/
We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Job Description
National University of Singapore (NUS) invites applications for a Research Fellow position in Advanced Membrane Science and Engineering for Sustainable Environmental Applications. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Professor Chuyang TANG, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE).
The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary research program focusing on photocatalytic membrane systems for advanced water purification. This work synergizes membrane engineering, advanced characterization, and mechanistic studies to reveal structure–property–activity relationships under light irradiation and formulate design principles for selective, durable photocatalytic membrane platforms. The research connects fundamental interface science with the development of practical modules for targeted separations, addressing emerging contaminant removal and resource recovery from complex realistic waters.
He/she is required to perform the followings:
1. Leading experimental research on the design and development of photocatalytic membrane materials, with a focus on analysing their structure-property-activity relationships.
2. Developing and refining integrated processes that combine selective separation with photocatalytic reactions to improve anti-fouling capability and operational stability in real waters.
3. Performing comprehensive membrane and interfacial characterization using advanced analytical tools to reveal nanoscale architecture and formation/function mechanisms.
4. Unravelling the coupled mechanisms governing photocatalytic membrane performance, including internal electric field formation, charge formation/separation/transfer, interfacial interactions, and reaction kinetics.
5. Assessing membrane efficacy across various application scenarios in water treatment, and leveraging mechanistic insights to diverse strategies that address the permeability–selectivity trade-offs and fouling.
6. Designing, fabricating and validating practical photocatalytic membrane prototypes and modules, including performance benchmarking, long-term durability testing, and process integration studies.
7. Preparing high-quality manuscripts for publication in leading international journals and present research outcomes at major conferences in environmental engineering, photocatalysis, membrane science, and material science.
8. Supporting the research group in broader research activities, including developing competitive research proposals and reports, coordinating collaborative projects, mentoring junior researchers/students, and contributing to laboratory operations to ensure a safe and productive research environment.
Job Requirements
1. A Ph.D. degree in a relevant field (e.g., Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, or closely related disciplines).
2. 2 years of relevant postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in environmental engineering, material science, and/or photocatalysis.
3. Strong research track record, evidenced by high-quality peer-reviewed publications in water treatment, photocatalysis, or membrane science/engineering.
4. Hands-on experimental expertise in photocatalysis-related research, such as photocatalyst synthesis/fabrication (e.g., COFs, metal oxides), characterization, and performance evaluation.
5. Ability to design and execute experiments that integrate membrane transport with photocatalytic reactions, including rigorous control of operating conditions and reproducible performance benchmarking.
6. Proficiency in relevant general and in-situ characterization, with strong quantitative data interpretation skills.
7. Experience in evaluating catalytic performance under realistic water matrices, including selectivity, stability, and durability, and ability to translate observations into mechanism-informed design strategies.
8. Experience in atomistic modelling and simulations, including density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD) to investigate the interfacial interaction and reaction mechanisms.
9. Proven ability to independently drive research projects, manage timelines and deliverables, and collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
10. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in preparing manuscripts, technical reports, and (ideally) contributing to research proposal development (fellowships/internal/external grants).
11. Willingness to support mentoring of junior researchers/students and contribute to a safe, efficient laboratory environment.
12. Open to a fixed-term contract.
