Senior Research Fellow (Programme Lead, Patient and Public Involvement)
National University of Singapore — Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Centre for Biomedical Ethics
Location: Singapore
Hours: Full time
Contract type: Fixed-term, two years (with possibility of extension)
Placed on / Closes: [date] / [date]
About the role
The Centre for Biomedical Ethics (CBmE) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, invites applications for a Senior Research Fellow with PACT Lab (Patient and public Action, Collaboration, and Trust in Research). The role is based in Singapore at CBmE, with significant engagement with the National University Health System (NUHS).
PACT Lab is a jointly governed CBmE–NUHS platform, established in 2026 with seed funding from NUS Medicine, providing shared infrastructure for patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in medical and population health research across both institutions. It is led by two Co-Directors — A/P Brian D. Earp (CBmE) and Ms Soh Lai Yee (Group Chief Patient Officer, NUHS) — supported by a Steering Committee drawn from NUS Medicine and NUHS, and by a Patient and Public Leadership Network developing through the Lab’s tiered training pathway. The successful applicant will serve as the Lab’s Programme Lead and will report to both Co-Directors.
We seek an experienced and motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in patient and public involvement and in qualitative or mixed-methods research, to build the Lab’s operating platform, deliver structured PPIE support to research teams, and contribute scholarship on the methods, governance, and evaluation of involvement. This combines programme-building and stakeholder co-ordination with independent academic work in an interdisciplinary, cross-institutional setting.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of PACT Lab’s programme of work, including its governance and operating model
- Map existing PPIE panels, activities, expertise, and gaps across NUS Medicine and NUHS, and design the shared platform through which this activity is made visible and accessible to research teams
- Deliver structured patient, caregiver, and public consultation for live research projects, drawing on resources including the Health Opinion Panel Singapore (HOPS), a nationally representative public panel of over 4,000 members
- Help research teams translate primary findings into justifiable policy and translation options using the Collective Reflective Equilibrium in Practice (CREP) methodology, in which public and patient attitudes gathered through surveys and interviews feed a structured deliberative process that weighs those attitudes against evidence and competing ethical principles
- Lead the development of the Lab’s training and certification curriculum for researchers, and of the tiered training pathway for patients, caregivers, and members of the public
- Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders within and beyond NUS and NUHS, including community partners, charities, and other university and hospital teams
- Produce scholarly outputs on the justification, methods, governance, conduct, and evaluation of patient and public involvement, including peer-reviewed publications, with a particular focus on PPIE in Singapore
- Develop follow-on funding, including embedded PPIE work packages within collaborative grant applications and dedicated grant applications on the PPIE agenda
- Supervise the Lab’s PACT Lab Associate and co-ordinate with PPIE leads across NUS, NUHS, and other institutions
- Develop guidelines and standard operating procedures for conducting PPIE responsibly and consistently, and organise workshops and capability-building for researchers and clinicians, including visits by overseas collaborators
- Assist with Lab grant applications and grant management
Qualifications and experience
- PhD in Bioethics, Public Health, Medical Anthropology, or a related discipline, from a reputable university
- Demonstrated experience designing, conducting, and co-ordinating patient and public involvement, or comparable patient, caregiver, or community engagement, in health research or healthcare settings
- Strong track record in qualitative or mixed-methods research
- Peer-reviewed publications as sole or first author, relative to career stage
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
- Strong organisation, project management, and stakeholder co-ordination skills
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently across institutional settings and with diverse patient and public groups
Contract
- Full-time appointment commencing [1 October 2026]
- Initial appointment of two years, with the possibility of extension
Application
Please submit a cover letter; a curriculum vitae with the contact details of three referees; one writing sample; and your current and expected salary. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Research Assistant / Research Associate — PACT Lab Associate (Research, Engagement & Implementation)
Joint appointment: Centre for Biomedical Ethics, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and the National University Health System (NUHS)
Location: Singapore (CBmE and NUHS)
Hours: Full time
Contract type: Fixed-term, two years (with possibility for extension)
Placed on / Closes: [date] / [date]
About the role
PACT Lab (Patient and public Action, Collaboration, and Trust in Research) invites applications for a Research Assistant / Research Associate — PACT Lab Associate (Research, Engagement & Implementation). The role is a joint CBmE–NUHS appointment based in Singapore, working across both institutions. The post is advertised at Research Assistant or Research Associate level; the grade of appointment will be set by the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience.
PACT Lab is a jointly governed platform of the Centre for Biomedical Ethics (CBmE) at NUS Medicine and NUHS, established in 2026, providing shared infrastructure for patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in research. The successful applicant will be the Lab’s operational point of contact for patients, caregivers, members of the public, and the research and service teams who work with them. The role reports to the Lab’s Senior Research Fellow (Programme Lead) and to a designated NUHS supervisor, under joint CBmE–NUHS oversight.
We seek an organised, personable, and community-minded individual to support patient and public involvement, engagement, and implementation across NUHS and NUS. The role combines practical facilitation with the recruitment, development, and stewardship of patient and caregiver communities, extending the Lab’s reach and supporting partnership-driven research and its translation into practice.
Key responsibilities
- Co-ordinate scheduling, communications, and logistics for patient, caregiver, and public panels and engagement activities
- Serve as first point of contact for patient and public contributors, including recruitment, onboarding, reimbursement, and ongoing liaison
- Attend and support meetings between research or health service teams and patient and public contributors
- Maintain accurate records of panels, memberships, and engagement activity, including on the Lab’s shared platform
- Support the Programme Lead in implementing guidelines and standard operating procedures across NUHS sites
- Update and maintain the PACT Lab website and guidance and training materials as appropriate
- Assist with organising and running workshops, training, and events, including venues, materials, and participant arrangements
- Recruit, support, and steward patient and caregiver contributors and communities, building the Lab’s patient and public partnership base beyond existing panels.
- Support community mobilisation and engagement activities, working with community organisations and NUHS partners.
- Support knowledge translation and implementation: helping ensure that research findings and engagement outputs reach and benefit the communities involved.
Qualifications and experience
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field for appointment at Research Assistant level, or a postgraduate degree for appointment at Research Associate level
- Experience working directly with patients, caregivers, and/or community groups, ideally in a healthcare or research setting
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English; proficiency in Mandarin is an advantage
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently across multiple teams and sites within NUS Medicine and NUHS
Contract
- Full-time appointment commencing [1 October 2026]
- Initial appointment of two years, with the possibility of extension
Application
Please submit a cover letter; a curriculum vitae with the contact details of two referees; and your current and expected salary. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.