Scientist / Senior Scientist (Food Toxicology)

[What the role is]

The National Centre for Food Science (NCFS) supports SFA’s regulatory functions in ensuring safe food for all by providing scientific evidence through laboratory testing, research and development, data science and exposure analysis, and risk assessment to address emerging food safety and security concerns.

The officer will be a Scientist/Senior Scientist in the Biological Research team under the Research & Exposure Science Department (RESD) to develop food toxicological capabilities and build strategic local and international partnerships to strengthen food safety assessment.

[What you will be working on]

The officer will be expected to:

• Drive the development of food toxicology research, particularly in new approach methodologies (NAMs) and next generation risk assessment (NGRA)
• Be responsible for generating research hypotheses, conducting experiments and/or employing technology-based solutions to support SFA’s food safety operations, risk assessment and policies
• Participate in collaborative R&D projects in toxicology and risk assessment with local research institutes, institutes of higher learning (IHLs) and overseas organisations
• Prepare scientific publications and deliver presentations on food toxicology research and policy to a broad audience which may include scientists, regulators, policy makers, and the public
• Engage the local ecosystem (e.g. research institutes, IHLs and industry) to advance food toxicology and promote talent development
• Contribute to the organisation of food safety-related conferences and workshops, and training of attachment students
• Perform laboratory support activities such as procurement and inventory management

[What we are looking for]

• PhD in toxicology, pharmacology, biological sciences, chemistry, or other relevant disciplines
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in toxicology research
• Experience with in silico predictive toxicity approaches is highly desirable, with particular emphasis on physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling and quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE). Familiarity with other computational tools such as quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis and read-across methodologies would also be advantageous
• Proven track record of first or senior author peer-reviewed scientific publications in toxicology and/or NAMs
• Knowledge in risk assessment and regulatory science would be an advantage
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey scientific concepts to diverse audiences
• Experience working with subject matter experts from international organisations
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills
• Resilient and ability to multi-task
• Self-motivated individuals with experience in leading a team or project, or with a track record in securing competitive grant funding, would be at an advantage