Job Description

[What the role is]

The mission of SFA is to ensure and secure a supply of safe food for Singapore. The Agriculture Technology Department (AGT) plans and conducts translational research in agri-inputs, crop management, crop protection, crop improvement, and precision agriculture. Leads the development of sustainable farming practices, provides technical assistance to strengthen farm capabilities, while driving the Agritech Translation Programme.

The successful candidate will play a key role in leading the Agriculture Technology Department to drive strategic research to improve resiliency of local farming, translating scientific knowledge into practical farming solutions through regular farm visits, on-site trials and capacity building and provide technical expertise to support policies and operations on urban agriculture in SFA.

[What you will be working on]

• Design, manage, and implement laboratory, controlled-environment and field research trials focusing on crop growth responses and yield, environmental optimisation whilst maintaining detailed records of research protocols, data, and analysis to ensure practical relevance, scientific rigour, traceability, and reproducibility.
• Quantify plant performance using physiological, morphological, and yield-based indicators with environmental data, supported by robust statistical analysis and data modelling.
• Conduct regular farm visits to diagnose crop performance issues, provide technical guidance on crop management and environmental control strategies, and deliver immediate recommendations with follow-up support.
• Translate research findings into technical guidelines, advisory materials, and policy-relevant recommendations to support farm advisory programmes and regulatory decision-making.
• Share research findings and best practices with farming communities through workshops, guides, demonstrations, and consultations, whilst supporting farmers in adopting new cultivation practices and technologies.
• Monitor and evaluate the adoption and impact of recommended practices, collecting feedback to refine advisory approaches and build strong relationships with local farms to understand their challenges and translate these into actionable solutions and research priorities.
• Foster partnerships and collaborations with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), research bodies, and industry stakeholders to drive translational research and cross-sectoral knowledge exchange.
• Represent Singapore on international platforms, conferences, and technical working groups, contributing expertise on urban agriculture, tropical crop production, and farm advisory approaches.

[What we are looking for]

• Ph.D. or a Master's degree in Plant Sciences, Plant Physiology, Agronomy, Agriculture, Horticulture, Crop Science, or related field; or a Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of relevant hands-on experience in crop production or agricultural extension.
• Strong technical background in plant-environment interactions and physiological stress responses, with proven experience working directly with farmers in vegetable production systems, particularly leafy vegetables and/or fruited vegetables under controlled and field environments.
• Experience in crop management practices including nutrient management, irrigation management and environmental control in tropical conditions, with demonstrated ability to diagnose crop problems and provide practical, evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience in designing and conducting controlled environment and/or field experiments and on-farm trials with sound understanding of experimental design, statistical analysis and data collection methods.
• Experience applying statistical frameworks and data modelling using tools such as R, Python, SPSS, or SAS, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data visualisation tools.
• Experience collaborating with academic institutions, industry partners, and government agencies on joint R&D and translational projects.
• Strong track record of technical and scientific communication, with excellent interpersonal and project management skills.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, with strong interpersonal and communication skills to clearly convey complex scientific and technical concepts to farmers, stakeholders and policymakers with varying levels of technical knowledge.
• Comfortable working outdoors in farm environments and tropical weather conditions, with willingness to travel regularly to farm sites and take a practical, hands-on approach to addressing agricultural challenges.
• Demonstrated analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to work independently whilst contributing effectively in team settings and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Passion for advancing and supporting the local farming community, contributing to Singapore's food security goals through applied research and technical translation.