Research Assistant (Built Environment & Behaviour) at National University of Singapore (NUS Cities), Singapore

Opportunity Type: Research Position
Position: Research Assistant (Built Environment & Behaviour)
Institution: National University of Singapore (NUS)
Research Unit: NUS Cities – Cities Foresight Lab
Department: Architecture, College of Design and Engineering
Location: Kent Ridge Campus, Singapore
Application Deadline: 5 November 2026 (as indicated in the available job listing; confirm on the official portal)

About the Opportunity

The National University of Singapore (NUS) invites applications for the position of Research Assistant (Built Environment & Behaviour) at NUS Cities. This research opportunity is suitable for candidates interested in understanding the relationship between the built environment, human behaviour, urban communities, and active living.

The position is associated with the Cities Foresight Lab (CFL), a multidisciplinary research group that works at the intersection of urban planning, governance, and strategic insight. The successful candidate will contribute to research examining how urban environments influence people’s everyday activities, lifestyle patterns, and engagement with their communities.

This opportunity may be particularly relevant to graduates and researchers from architecture, urban planning, human geography, sociology, public health, and other related disciplines who have experience in qualitative research.

About the Research Project

The position contributes to the Community Assets and Activity Chain Modelling (CA-ACM) project, commissioned by Singapore’s Health Promotion Board. The project investigates how features of the built environment influence residents’ daily activities and lifestyle choices.

The research aims to identify characteristics of urban environments that encourage active living, develop indicators to evaluate the attractiveness of different urban settings for diverse population groups, and understand how environmental conditions influence people’s participation in physical activities.

The project brings together expertise in urban studies, data science, public health, and social sciences. Its interdisciplinary approach seeks to generate evidence-based insights that can inform urban design, planning strategies, public policy, and the development of healthier communities.

Key Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will contribute to the qualitative research component of the project and collaborate with researchers working on quantitative analysis, urban analytics, and geospatial research.

Key responsibilities include:

• Planning and conducting qualitative research, including study design, fieldwork, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Applying knowledge of the built environment and human behaviour to develop frameworks for evaluating community assets and urban settings.
• Contributing to qualitative studies and survey design to validate and refine findings from activity-chain modelling and related analyses.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary research teams to integrate qualitative, quantitative, and spatial findings.
• Preparing research outputs, academic papers, presentations, and reports for academic, policy, and professional audiences.
• Supporting project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and communication of research findings.
• Contributing to the development of evidence-based insights into active living, community life, and the relationship between urban environments and human behaviour.

Eligibility and Qualifications

Applicants should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Relevant academic backgrounds may include:

• Architecture
• Urban Planning and Urban Studies
• Human Geography
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Public Health
• Environmental or Behavioural Psychology
• Social Policy
• Community Development
• Other related disciplines

Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of the relationship between the built environment and human behaviour. Relevant knowledge may include environmental behaviour studies, urban sociology, built environment and health, community asset evaluation, active living, everyday behaviour, or community life.

Applicants should also have demonstrable experience in qualitative research, including the ability to plan studies, conduct research involving human participants, analyse findings systematically, and communicate results effectively.

Familiarity with methods such as thematic analysis, grounded theory, content analysis, or other qualitative analytical approaches will be relevant to the position.

Additional desirable qualifications and skills include:

• The ability to interpret quantitative, survey, geospatial, and activity-modelling findings.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary research teams.
• Strong analytical, academic writing, and communication skills.
• Good organisational and project management abilities.
• Experience engaging with communities, government agencies, or other research partners.
• Familiarity with Singapore’s built environment and public-sector context.
• Experience using NVivo or similar qualitative data analysis software.

Application Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents for submission through the NUS recruitment portal:

1. Cover letter: A cover letter of no more than three pages.
2. Curriculum vitae: An up-to-date CV highlighting relevant education, research experience, skills, and publications, where applicable.
3. Research statement: A statement describing the applicant’s research trajectory, interests, and career ambitions.
4. Referee details: Contact information for three referees for the Research Assistant position.

Reference letters are requested only from shortlisted applicants, according to the available vacancy announcement.

Candidates are encouraged to present their relevant research experience clearly, particularly experience in qualitative methods, urban studies, the built environment, human behaviour, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application through the official National University of Singapore careers portal.

Official application link:
https://careers.nus.edu.sg/job/Research-Assistant-%28Built-Environment-%26-Behaviour%29-NUS-Cities/34593-en_GB/

The available listing indicates that applications will be evaluated as they are received and that the position may remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Applicants should therefore consult the official recruitment page for the current status, deadline, and any additional instructions before submitting their applications.

For further enquiries, the available listing provides the contact email nixiesap@nus.edu.sg. Applicants should refer to the official vacancy announcement for the appropriate subject line and contact instructions.

Why Consider This Research Opportunity?

This position offers an opportunity to contribute to research at the intersection of architecture, urban planning, social science, and public health. It may be especially valuable for candidates interested in how the design and organisation of cities influence daily routines, physical activity, community interaction, and quality of life.

The interdisciplinary nature of the project also provides an opportunity to work alongside researchers using qualitative, quantitative, and geospatial approaches to understand complex urban challenges.

For candidates seeking to develop their research careers in the built environment, urban studies, or human-centred planning, this role offers a relevant opportunity to engage with research that connects academic inquiry with practical urban and public-policy questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which institution is offering this position?

The position is offered by the National University of Singapore through NUS Cities, within the College of Design and Engineering.

2. What academic qualifications are required?

The available listing specifies a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant discipline for appointment as a Research Assistant.

3. Which research areas are relevant to this role?

Relevant areas include built environment and behaviour, urban studies, qualitative research, community life, active living, environmental psychology, and related interdisciplinary fields.

4. How can candidates apply?

Applications should be submitted through the official NUS careers portal using the vacancy link provided above.

5. What is the application deadline?

The available job listing indicates 5 November 2026. Applicants should verify the deadline and current vacancy status on the official recruitment portal before applying.

Final Note

Candidates interested in this opportunity should review the official vacancy announcement carefully and ensure that their application documents demonstrate relevant research experience, methodological skills, and an understanding of the relationship between the built environment and human behaviour.

Explore the official vacancy and application instructions:
https://careers.nus.edu.sg/job/Research-Assistant-%28Built-Environment-%26-Behaviour%29-NUS-Cities/34593-en_GB/

Archpedia shares academic, research, and professional opportunities across architecture and the built environment. Applicants should always consult the recruiting institution’s official announcement for the latest information and application requirements.