Nanyang Assistant/Associate Professorship (NAP) at NTU0 Views

Introduction

Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, consistently ranked among the world’s leading universities, has created the Nanyang Assistant/Associate Professorship (NAP) to nurture exceptional early-career researchers. This highly competitive program is not just a faculty position but a comprehensive platform for scholars to transition into independent academic leaders.

The NAP program grants recipients a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professorship, along with generous start-up funding and strategic support from NTU. This initiative reflects NTU’s broader vision of fostering interdisciplinary research excellence and strengthening global academic networks.

The Nanyang Assistant/Associate Professorship (NAP) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, offers outstanding early-career researchers a tenure-track faculty position with substantial research funding, mentorship, and world-class facilities. Designed to accelerate leadership in research and teaching, NAP is one of Asia’s most competitive and prestigious academic career opportunities.

Why NAP Matters

The NAP serves as a critical bridge between postdoctoral research and long-term academic careers. Many early-career scholars face challenges establishing independence—particularly in funding, building labs, and creating strong research teams. NAP directly addresses these challenges by:

• • Offering a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor role in one of Asia’s most research-intensive universities.
  • Providing
    a substantial Start-Up Grant (SUG), enabling researchers to launch independent projects immediately.
  • Giving access to NTU’s cutting-edge research facilities, collaborative hubs, and international partnerships.

This combination makes NAP a premier program for scholars who wish to grow their research while taking on early leadership responsibilities.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants to the NAP program must demonstrate outstanding potential in research and leadership. Eligibility includes:

• • Early-career researchers holding a PhD, MD, or equivalent, typically awarded within the last ten years.
  • Clinician-scientists with expertise in translational or clinical research—covering areas such as digital health, epidemiology, clinical trials, or biomedical innovation.
  • A strong academic track record, including impactful publications, patents, or prior competitive grants.
  • Candidates must commit to establishing their independent research group at NTU.
  • Both external applicants and NTU’s internal faculty may apply, provided they are within three years of PhD completion or have joined NTU within the past 12 months.

This framework ensures NAP remains accessible to top talent globally while focusing on truly early-stage career researchers.

Awards and Benefits

Financial Support

The funding awarded under NAP is among the most competitive in Asia:

• • STEM disciplines: Up to S$1.5 million in start-up funding, plus scholarships to recruit up to five PhD students.
  • SHAPE disciplines (Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts, and Physical Education): Up to S$1 million in start-up support, plus scholarships for up to two PhD students.
  • White Space Fund: Up to S$250,000 for discretionary use, empowering faculty to pursue interdisciplinary or high-risk projects without administrative delay.

Additional Benefits

• • Tenure-track faculty status, ensuring career stability and progression opportunities.
  • Competitive remuneration packages benchmarked globally.
  • Access to NTU’s advanced R&D infrastructure, including cutting-edge labs, centers of excellence, and collaborative platforms.
  • Opportunities to engage in cross-disciplinary research, supported by NTU’s vibrant academic ecosystem and global partnerships.
  • Strong mentorship frameworks, helping early-career faculty refine leadership and grant acquisition skills.

Together, these benefits position awardees to excel as independent researchers while shaping global academic conversations.

Application Overview

The NAP program offers a rolling application window, ensuring flexibility for global scholars.

• • Submission Window: Applications are accepted year-round.
  • Application Materials: Required documents include a detailed CV, a comprehensive research proposal, recommendation letters, and evidence of academic achievements.
  • Evaluation Process: Applications are reviewed in 2–3 months. Only shortlisted candidates are contacted, followed by interviews and final selection.

For clarity, applicants are

encouraged to engage directly with NTU’s faculties or research offices before submission to align proposals with NTU’s strategic priorities.

NAP Alumni and Recognition

Over the years, the NAP program has recognized diverse scholars across engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, medicine, and the humanities. Alumni often:

• • Establish pioneering research groups within NTU.
  • Publish in high-impact international journals.
  • Lead interdisciplinary collaborations addressing global challenges such as climate change, sustainable energy, and public health.
  • Secure major international grants, further amplifying NTU’s visibility.

This track record demonstrates how NAP alumni evolve into global academic leaders and innovators.

Strategic Fit at NTU

The NAP is integral to NTU’s mission of becoming a world-class research powerhouse. It aligns with the university’s broader goals of:

• • Accelerating research leadership among young academics.
  • Cultivating interdisciplinary innovation, supported by robust funding and infrastructure.
  • Building a talent pipeline that positions NTU as a leader in higher education and research globally.

This makes the NAP not only a career-defining program but also a strategic instrument for NTU’s global competitiveness.

Application Tips for Success

To stand out in the highly competitive selection process, applicants should:

1. 1. Demonstrate originality
      – Craft a research proposal that clearly defines how your work advances knowledge and addresses critical societal challenges.
   2. Highlight early achievements – Emphasize high-impact publications, competitive fellowships, patents, or industry collaborations.
   3. Show readiness for leadership – Articulate how you will build and mentor a research group at NTU.
   4. Align with NTU’s strengths – Reference NTU’s research priorities and identify collaborative opportunities.
   5. Network strategically – Engage with NTU faculty or research centers to strengthen institutional fit.

Applicants who combine visionary research ideas with demonstrated capacity for independent leadership are most likely to succeed.

Timeline and Forward Planning

Since the program accepts applications throughout the year, there is no strict deadline. However:

• • Candidates should apply at least 6–12 months before intended relocation, aligning with NTU’s academic hiring cycles.
  • It is advisable to track annual reviews of the NAP program, as funding levels or criteria may be updated.
  • The next cycle of application reviews is expected around late 2025, with updates to be announced soon.

Applicants should plan early and maintain updated CVs and proposals to respond quickly when opportunities arise.

Conclusion

The Nanyang Assistant/Associate Professorship (NAP) is among the most prestigious early-career faculty programs in Asia, offering unparalleled funding, tenure-track positions, and world-class research opportunities. For motivated scholars, it is not merely a job—it is a career-defining gateway to global academic leadership.

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review details on the official NTU Research Careers portal and prepare comprehensive applications that showcase both scientific excellence and leadership potential.

Feature	Details
Program Name	Nanyang Assistant/Associate Professorship (NAP)
Host Country	Singapore
Funded By	Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Duration	Tenure-track, typically reviewed after 5–6 years
Study Mode	Full-time, on-site faculty position
Eligibility	Early-career researchers (PhD, MD, or equivalent, within ~10 years) with strong research track record
Financial Support	– Up to S$1.5M for STEM (plus scholarships for up to 5 PhD students) – Up to S$1M for SHAPE fields (plus scholarships for up to 2 PhD students) – Additional White Space Fund up to S$250,000
Fields	STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts, Physical Education)
Deadline	Rolling applications; next review cycle expected December (exact date to be updated soon)
Official	Click here

References

• NTU Official Homepage

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)