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Postdoctoral/Research Fellowship at NUS Asia Research Institute 2026: S$6,000–S$6,500 Monthly Salary for Ageing and Migration Research

Bob Waudo
Postdoctoral/Research Fellowship at NUS Asia Research Institute 2026: S$6,000–S$6,500 Monthly Salary for Ageing and Migration Research
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The Asia Research Institute (ARI) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is inviting applications for a full-time Postdoctoral/Research Fellow position focused on ageing, migration, social networks, healthcare, eldercare, digital inclusion, and long-term integration among foreign-born older adults in Singapore.

The position offers an opportunity for an early-career researcher with a PhD in the social sciences or humanities to join a four-year research project funded by Singapore’s Social Sciences Research Council (SSRC) under its Thematic Grant programme. The successful candidate will become part of an interdisciplinary research team examining how foreign-born older adults build and access formal and informal support systems locally and across borders.

The fellowship is particularly relevant to researchers specialising in social geography, sociology, anthropology, migration studies, ageing studies, qualitative research, social networks, healthcare, eldercare, or related areas.

The appointment is initially for one year, with the possibility of renewal into a second year. The successful candidate is expected to begin work at NUS in October 2026 and no later than December 2026.

Opportunity Overview

About the Asia Research Institute at NUS

The Asia Research Institute (ARI) is a research institute within the National University of Singapore that brings together scholars working on major social, cultural, economic and political issues affecting Asia.

For this fellowship, the successful researcher will be hosted within ARI’s Migration and Mobilities Cluster. The researcher will work under the leadership of Prof Elaine Ho, who serves as the Principal Investigator, alongside an interdisciplinary team of Co-Investigators.

This creates an opportunity for the successful applicant to work in a research environment where migration and ageing are examined from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

About the Ageing and Migration Research Project

The fellowship is connected to a four-year research project titled “Ageing Futures and Resource Environments of Foreign-born Singapore Residents.”

The project is supported through the Social Sciences Research Council Singapore Thematic Grant programme and focuses on the relationship between two major life-course transitions: ageing and migration.

Ageing and migration can both involve significant changes in people’s social relationships, access to resources, identities, communities and opportunities. However, the two processes have often been investigated separately.

This research project seeks to bridge that gap.

What are “resource environments”?

A major concept within the project is the idea of resource environments.

In this context, resource environments refer to the formal and informal sources of support that older adults develop and use. These resources may exist within Singapore or extend across national borders.

They can include:

The project is particularly interested in how foreign-born older adults navigate these resources and how their access to different forms of support influences their experiences of ageing in Singapore.

Who Will the Research Focus On?

The successful fellow will primarily conduct qualitative research involving foreign-born Singapore residents aged 55 years and above.

The research participants will originate from different countries in Asia.

The project will also compare foreign-born older adults with local-born older adults.

Through this comparison, researchers will explore how different resource environments influence:

Key Research Areas

The project brings together several interconnected areas of research.

1. Ageing

The research examines how people experience later life and how ageing interacts with social, economic and community environments.

2. Migration

Migration is central to the project because it can influence access to family networks, social services, healthcare, community relationships and other forms of support.

3. Social Networks

The study will investigate how older adults develop and maintain relationships that provide emotional, practical and other forms of support.

4. Healthcare

Healthcare access and experiences are important components of the research, particularly in understanding the resources available to older foreign-born residents.

5. Eldercare

The project will explore formal and informal systems of care and how older adults navigate these systems.

6. Digital Connectivity

Digital technologies can enable older adults to maintain relationships across borders and access information and services. The project therefore considers digital connectivity as part of people’s resource environments.

7. Productive Ageing

The research will also examine opportunities and experiences associated with productive ageing, including participation and contribution during later life.

8. Integration and Belonging

The project seeks to understand how resource environments affect older adults’ sense of belonging, participation and long-term integration.

Responsibilities of the Postdoctoral/Research Fellow

The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for conducting qualitative research in Singapore.

This will involve engaging with foreign-born Singapore residents aged 55 and above and gathering qualitative data through methods such as interviews and observations.

The researcher will also work closely with colleagues from different academic disciplines because the broader project uses a mixed-methods and interdisciplinary approach.

Major responsibilities are expected to include:

Conducting Qualitative Fieldwork

The fellow will undertake community-based research involving foreign-born older adults.

This may involve:

Participating in Interdisciplinary Research

Because the project brings together researchers from different disciplinary backgrounds, the successful applicant will be expected to collaborate with researchers who may use different theoretical approaches and research methodologies.

The ability to communicate effectively across disciplines will therefore be important.

Research Analysis

The fellow will contribute to analysing research findings and connecting qualitative evidence with the wider mixed-methods research programme.

Academic Writing

The successful candidate will participate in research writing connected to the project.

This may include contributing to:

Non-Academic Research Dissemination

The position also includes opportunities to contribute to communicating research findings to non-academic audiences.

This could involve translating research findings into accessible materials for stakeholders, policymakers, community organisations and other audiences.

Professional Development Opportunities

The fellowship provides several opportunities for the successful researcher to strengthen their academic profile and research career.

Present Research at Conferences

The fellow will have opportunities to present research findings at both international and domestic conferences.

This can help researchers build professional networks, receive feedback on their work and increase the visibility of their research.

Publish in High-Impact Journals

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to participate in joint authorship of publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

This can be particularly valuable for researchers seeking to establish or strengthen their academic publication record after completing their PhD.

Participate in Workshops and Seminars

The fellow may participate in and help organise:

Grant Development

The position also provides exposure to grant funding applications, giving the successful candidate an opportunity to develop experience in research funding and project development.

Participate in Cluster Projects

Beyond the specific ageing and migration project, the researcher will be able to participate in current activities within the ARI Migration and Mobilities Cluster.

Eligibility and Academic Requirements

Applicants are expected to meet several academic and professional requirements.

PhD Requirement

Applicants should hold a PhD degree, or be awaiting formal conferment of their PhD.

The PhD should be in a relevant field within the Social Sciences and Humanities.

The advertisement particularly identifies the following fields as preferred:

Researchers from closely related disciplines may also be relevant where their research background aligns strongly with the project’s themes.

Research Interest

Applicants should be able to demonstrate a clear research interest in themes relevant to the project.

Relevant areas may include ageing, migration, mobility, social networks, healthcare, eldercare, digital inclusion, integration, community studies or related subjects.

Qualitative Research Skills

Strong qualitative research skills are an important requirement.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate experience or capability in conducting qualitative research, particularly research involving communities and human participants.

Experience with mixed-methods research will be considered an advantage.

Language Skills

Because the researcher will conduct community-based fieldwork, conversational proficiency in one or more languages central to the project is required.

These include:

Applicants who can communicate conversationally in one or more of these languages may therefore be particularly well positioned for the fieldwork component of the fellowship.

Publication Potential

Applicants should demonstrate the potential to develop a strong publication record, particularly through publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

Applicants with previous academic publications should clearly demonstrate these achievements in their CV and application materials.

Communication Skills

The successful candidate should have a high level of competence in both written and spoken communication.

Strong academic writing ability is particularly important because the position involves research publications, dissemination and collaboration with researchers from different disciplines.

Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills

The fellow will work with:

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively are therefore essential.

Salary and Employment Benefits

The position offers an all-inclusive fixed monthly salary of S$6,000 to S$6,500, depending on the successful applicant’s experience.

The stated monthly amount includes stipends intended to cover:

Applicants should therefore consider the all-inclusive nature of the salary when evaluating the financial terms of the appointment.

Travel Assistance for Overseas Applicants

Successful applicants coming from overseas will receive travel assistance.

This can be particularly useful for international researchers relocating to Singapore for the appointment.

CPF Benefits

Singapore citizens and permanent residents are eligible for Central Provident Fund benefits.

Taxation

Salary and benefits-in-kind are subject to taxation according to applicable Singapore tax laws.

International applicants should therefore consider the applicable tax implications when assessing the overall compensation package.

Research and Conference Support

The position provides support for project-related research fieldwork and conference attendance, subject to approval.

This means the successful researcher may receive institutional/project support for eligible activities directly related to the research project.

The opportunity to attend conferences can also contribute to professional development and academic networking.

Expected Participation in ARI Activities

Research staff at ARI are expected to actively participate in the institute’s research environment.

This includes attending activities such as:

Applicants should therefore be comfortable working in a collaborative research environment rather than operating exclusively as an independent researcher.

Appointment Duration and Start Date

The initial appointment is for one year.

However, there is a possibility of renewal into the second year.

The successful applicant is expected to commence duties at NUS in October 2026, and in any event no later than December 2026.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to take up the appointment within this timeframe.

Application Requirements

Applicants must combine all required application documents into one PDF document.

The combined PDF should then be attached under the CV column when submitting the application.

The required documents are:

1. Curriculum Vitae

The CV should provide a clear overview of the applicant’s:

Given the highly specialised nature of the role, applicants should ensure that their CV clearly demonstrates their connection to ageing, migration, qualitative research or related project themes.

2. Cover Letter

The cover letter must be no more than 800 words.

It should explain:

Applicants should use the cover letter to directly connect their previous research experience with the requirements of the fellowship.

3. Academic Transcripts

Applicants must provide their relevant academic transcripts as part of the combined PDF.

4. Writing Sample

Applicants must provide one writing sample of no more than 8,000 words.

The writing sample should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to conduct rigorous research and communicate academic arguments effectively.

A strong writing sample should ideally showcase capabilities relevant to the fellowship, particularly qualitative research, social sciences, migration, ageing or a related area.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Because this is a specialised postdoctoral research position, applicants should avoid submitting a generic academic application.

Instead, the application should demonstrate a clear connection between the applicant’s previous work and the project’s research agenda.

Highlight Relevant Research Experience

Applicants should clearly explain any previous work involving:

Demonstrate Fieldwork Experience

If the applicant has previously conducted interviews, observations, ethnographic research, community research or other forms of qualitative fieldwork, these experiences should be clearly highlighted.

Highlight Relevant Language Skills

Applicants who have conversational proficiency in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesian or Vietnamese should clearly state this in their CV and cover letter.

This is especially important because language capability is directly relevant to the proposed community-based fieldwork.

Demonstrate Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Applicants should provide examples of working with researchers, organisations or stakeholders from different professional or academic backgrounds.

Strengthen the Publication Profile

Where applicable, applicants should clearly list:

The application should demonstrate the candidate’s potential to build a strong publication record.

Who Should Consider Applying?

This opportunity is particularly suited to researchers who have recently completed, or are about to complete, a PhD and want to develop a research career focused on migration, ageing and related social issues.

Potentially suitable candidates include researchers with backgrounds in:

Candidates should also have strong qualitative research capabilities and an interest in conducting fieldwork among foreign-born older adults in Singapore.

Countries and Regions of Applicants

The position is hosted in Singapore, but the advertisement does not state that applicants must be Singapore citizens.

Indeed, the terms specifically provide travel assistance for successful applicants from overseas, indicating that international applicants can be considered.

The research itself focuses on foreign-born Singapore residents originating from different countries in Asia, and applicants with relevant regional research experience may find this particularly relevant.

The advertisement does not identify a racial or ethnic restriction on applicants. Eligibility is primarily determined by academic qualifications, research experience, methodological skills, language proficiency and suitability for the project.

Therefore, applicants from different countries and backgrounds may apply, provided they satisfy the stated requirements.

Important Deadline

The application deadline is:

14 August 2026

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and ensure that all required documents have been combined into one PDF before uploading it under the CV section of the application system.

Selection and Interview Process

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview either:

The interviews are expected to take place in late August or early September 2026.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to discuss their research background, methodological experience, academic interests and suitability for the ageing and migration project.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the official National University of Singapore careers portal.

Before submitting, applicants should ensure that their single PDF contains:

  1. Curriculum vitae
  2. Cover letter of no more than 800 words
  3. Academic transcripts
  4. Writing sample of no more than 8,000 words

The application should be submitted by 14 August 2026.

APPLY HERE

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail Information
Position Postdoctoral/Research Fellow
Institution National University of Singapore
Institute Asia Research Institute
Cluster Migration and Mobilities
Research Theme Ageing and Migration
Location Kent Ridge Campus, Singapore
Employment Full-time
Initial Contract One year
Renewal Possible into second year
Salary S$6,000–S$6,500 per month
Start Date October 2026, no later than December 2026
PhD Required or awaiting conferment
Preferred Fields Social Geography, Sociology, Anthropology, Migration Studies
Qualitative Research Required
Mixed Methods Advantage
Language Skills Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesian or Vietnamese
Cover Letter Maximum 800 words
Writing Sample Maximum 8,000 words
Application Format One combined PDF
Application Deadline 14 August 2026
Interview Late August/early September 2026
Req ID 33777

Why This Fellowship Could Be Valuable for Early-Career Researchers

This opportunity goes beyond a conventional research employment position because it combines fieldwork, interdisciplinary collaboration, academic publishing, conference participation, research dissemination and grant development.

For a researcher seeking to establish a post-PhD academic career, the opportunity to contribute to a major funded research project can provide valuable experience in developing a research portfolio.

The successful applicant can potentially strengthen their profile through:

The position may therefore be particularly attractive to candidates who want to build a long-term career in academia, research institutions, migration studies, ageing research, social policy or related fields.

Visit HERE to learn more about the Postdoctoral/Research Fellowship at NUS Asia Research Institute 2026.

Conclusion

The Postdoctoral/Research Fellowship at the Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore offers a significant opportunity for qualified social sciences and humanities researchers interested in the intersection of ageing and migration.

The successful candidate will contribute to a four-year research project investigating the resource environments of foreign-born older adults in Singapore, with particular attention to social networks, healthcare, eldercare, digital connectivity, productive ageing, belonging, participation and long-term integration.

The position offers an initial one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal, an all-inclusive monthly salary of S$6,000–S$6,500, support for eligible research and conference activities, and travel assistance for successful overseas applicants.

Candidates should pay particular attention to the requirements for qualitative research experience, relevant PhD qualifications, academic writing, publication potential, interdisciplinary collaboration and conversational proficiency in at least one of the specified project languages.

Most importantly, applicants must submit their complete application by 14 August 2026.

For more global fellowship opportunities visit OFY HERE

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