PhD Admission Open at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Ambitious researchers seeking a prestigious PhD Admission in cutting-edge biomedical science now have an exciting opportunity at Nanyang Technological University. This interdisciplinary PhD in Singapore focuses on neural tissue engineering, biomaterial scaffold design, and regenerative medicine for spinal cord injury research. Conducted in collaboration with Duke-NUS Medical School and global institutions, this program offers a unique PhD opportunity for life science graduates to contribute to next-generation biomaterials, stem cell therapy, and neural regeneration research within one of Asia’s leading research environments.
About the Institution
Nanyang Technological University is one of the world’s leading research universities, known for excellence in engineering, biotechnology, and interdisciplinary science. Located in Singapore, NTU hosts world-class laboratories and collaborates with international research institutions to advance innovation in science and medicine.
Through advanced research initiatives and global partnerships, NTU offers outstanding PhD Admission programs designed to train the next generation of scientists and engineers. Students pursuing a PhD in Singapore at NTU benefit from cutting-edge research infrastructure, international collaborations, and strong academic mentorship.
PhD Admission Details:
- Position Title: PhD Position – Neural Tissue Engineering & Spinal Cord Injury Research
- Start Date: January 2026
- Location: Singapore
- Application Review: Rolling
Host Institutions
The PhD position is hosted at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) across the following schools:
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, NTU
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, NTU
The project is conducted in collaboration with Duke-NUS Medical School.
Research Overview
A PhD position is available in an interdisciplinary research team led by Sing Yian Chew (NTU) and Shawn Je (Duke-NUS). The successful candidate will contribute to an ongoing research program focused on scaffold design and regenerative biomaterials for neural tissue engineering.
The research project aims to develop innovative cell transplantation strategies and tissue-engineered scaffolds to promote in vivo neural tissue regeneration, particularly for treating Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).
Candidates with interests in stem cell therapy, biofabrication of neural scaffolds, and both in vitro and in vivo characterization of scaffold–cell and scaffold–tissue interactions are encouraged to apply.
Research Focus
- Design and Fabrication: Design and fabricate biomaterial scaffolds for neural tissue engineering applications.
- Stem Cell Therapy: Develop stem cell–based therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury treatment.
- In Vitro Studies: Investigate cell–substrate interactions using controlled laboratory models.
- In Vivo Evaluation: Evaluate scaffold–cell and scaffold–tissue interactions in animal models and assess functional recovery following spinal cord injury.
Unique Opportunities
- Joint supervision from leading investigators across engineering and neuroscience disciplines.
- Access to a strong international collaboration network involving:
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) / Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Osaka University
- Nagoya University
- Nanyang Technological University
- Duke-NUS Medical School
- National University of Singapore
- Exposure to a full research pipeline, from in vitro laboratory experiments to in vivo animal studies.
- Opportunity to conduct research at NTU, one of Asia’s top-ranked engineering universities, in Singapore’s global biomedical research ecosystem.
Qualifications
Required
- Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or a related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in biofabrication and in vitro cell–substrate interaction analysis.
- Hands-on experience with immunofluorescence, histology, and confocal microscopy.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Highly motivated and well-organized, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Advantageous
- Experience with western blotting and qRT-PCR techniques.
- Previous exposure to in vivo animal models.
- Background in neural biomaterials or regenerative medicine.
- Record of peer-reviewed publications.
Strong candidates who may not meet every criterion are still encouraged to apply.
Application Process Of PhD Admission
Applicants should submit a single PDF file containing:
- Cover letter describing research interests and relevance to the project.
- Full curriculum vitae (including publication list if applicable).
- Contact information for three referees.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Early submission is strongly encouraged.
Application Contacts
Prof. Sing Yian Chew
School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, NTU
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
Email: [email protected]
Prof. Shawn Je
Duke-NUS Medical School
Email: [email protected]
