Job Description

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is recruiting a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on a new initiative: Health District @ Queenstown. 

What is Health District @ Queenstown?

According to the United Nations, population ageing is poised to be one of the most significant social transformations of the twenty-first century. Most countries, however, are ill-prepared to meet needs and seize opportunities for longer lives; Singapore is no exception. 
The National University of Singapore (NUS), National University Healthcare System (NUHS), and the Housing and Development Board (HDB) launched the Health District @ Queenstown to pilot a multi-stakeholder, location-based intervention programme to help Singapore residents stay healthy, strong, resilient and productive. Working closely with the Queenstown community (roughly 100,000 residents strong), the Health District aims to co-create and test interventions that will enable Singapore to reap the longevity dividends of our increased life span. Solutions evaluated to be effective will be shared with the international community and scaled up sustainably across the country.

Vision 

An inclusive community that leads healthy, active and productive lives across their life course, in a quality living environment that sustainably addresses the determinants of health and enables ageing-in-place.
Goals

• Increase healthy longevity
• Enable purposeful longevity
• Promote intergenerational bonding
• Support a community for all ages

To work with an interdisciplinary team comprising Associate Professor Lile Jia (psychology), Associate Professor Yee Wei Lim (medicine), and Professor Leonard Lee (marketing) on conducting a foundational, baseline study for the Health District.

The project aims to

1. identify, quantify, and understand the unmet needs of residents, and
2. establish a rigorous baseline of important outcome indicators. In addition to 'taking the pulse' of the community, the project aspires to test scientifically novel hypotheses. 

Specific tasks include:

• Contribute to the design and implementation of quantitative, qualitative, and behavioural research.
• Contribute to the data cleaning and analysis
• Prepare and coordinate research ethics protocols.
• Contribute to preparing and writing research manuscripts and conference abstracts/posters.
• Support the dissemination of research outcomes through appropriate channels and outlets including policy briefs.
• Perform other duties or roles as may be reasonably required.

Appointment and Support:

• Recruitment is open immediately. The starting date of the appointment is flexible but should be no later than May 2023. The position will be based in Singapore, and the initial contract is for two years, with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability. Interest in other projects of the Health District is welcome and encouraged. The scholar is expected to serve the full two years. 
• The position offers competitive compensation and benefits (e.g., medical benefits, conference travel support). 

How to Apply

• Applicants should send the following documents to Winnie Chong (winniec@nus.edu.sg). 
  • Cover letter highlighting career goals and relevant experience
  • Curriculum Vitae, containing names and contact details of three named referees
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in a relevant subject area, including Public Health, Psychology, Economics, Sociology, Population Science, Human Geography, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Services Research, Health Information, Global Health, Health/Clinical Sciences, or equivalent.

Requirements:

• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.
• Willingness to learn and master new statistical skills independently.
• Highly organized and able to work effectively under pressure, use independent judgement and produce a quality work product within tight time constraints.
• Able to work independently as well as with a team.
• Strong interest in contributing to scientific publications.
• Experience with fieldwork/data collection would be a plus.

Preferred skills

• Strong data analytical skills and proficiency in statistical software such as R, SPSS, Stata, or SAS.
• Experience in conducting human subject research.
• Research experience/background in one of the following: Population health, Health behaviours and/or promotion, Psychology in Public Health/Aging, Gerontology, Risk Perception and Communication

Covid-19 Message

At NUS, the health and safety of our staff and students are one of our utmost priorities, and COVID-vaccination supports our commitment to ensure the safety of our community and to make NUS as safe and welcoming as possible. Many of our roles require a significant amount of physical interactions with students/staff/public members. Even for job roles that may be performed remotely, there will be instances where on-campus presence is required.

Taking into consideration the health and well-being of our staff and students and to better protect everyone in the campus, applicants are strongly encouraged to have themselves fully COVID-19 vaccinated to secure successful employment with NUS.

More Information

Location: Singapore
Organization: National University of Singapore
Department : Department of Psychology