style="text-align: justify;">Robust Research Enablement

The programme provides substantial start-up research funding alongside a sign-on bonus, typically profiled over four years. This resourcing helps candidates establish labs, purchase essential equipment, and recruit early team members to accelerate research momentum.

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

A secondary “courtesy” appointment may be offered to facilitate collaboration across schools. This arrangement supports co-taught courses, co-supervised theses, and joint grant proposals that address complex, interdisciplinary problems.

Graduate Talent Pipeline

SMU-PEP ensures access to a vibrant doctoral ecosystem, including guaranteed PhD studentships in STEM where applicable. Consequently, awardees can launch projects at scale and build sustained research programmes from the outset.

Mentorship, Networks, and Mobility

Awardees benefit from tailored mentorship in research, teaching, and career development, plus exposure to institutional and industry networks. Support often includes relocation assistance, housing allowance, conference funding, child-schooling support, and medical coverage, easing transition and enabling academic focus.

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Who Should Apply?

Core Profile

SMU welcomes candidates who have recently earned a PhD (or equivalent)—generally within the last six years—or are near completion. Applicants should demonstrate a compelling track record for their career stage, including high-quality publications, recognised practice-based outputs, or impactful interdisciplinary work.

Intellectual Fit

Beyond credentials, SMU seeks intellectually adventurous scholars ready to tackle real-world, high-leverage challenges aligned with the university’s priorities. Strong candidates articulate how

their research agenda contributes to theory, practice, and policy—while enhancing the student learning experience through supervision and innovative pedagogy.

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Application Timeline & Process

When to Apply

Applications are accepted via SMU’s official portal. The current cycle closes in October [we will update soon]. Based on historical patterns, the next cycle is anticipated around October [we will update soon]. Please verify any internal windows announced by departments.

How to Apply

1. 1. Prepare the dossier: CV; research statement with near-term plan and long-term vision; teaching statement; up to three key publications; and names of referees.

   2. Submit online: Complete the application on the SMU careers portal and designate the SMU-PEP track.

   3. Departmental review: Applications undergo an academic assessment for research fit, teaching potential, and alignment with school needs.

   4. Interviews/presentations: Shortlisted candidates may present their research and a sample class, outlining student engagement and supervision plans.

   5. Offer and onboarding: Selected candidates receive a formal offer with tenure-track terms and support details.

Note: SMU schools may post discipline-specific guidance. Therefore, monitor school pages for updates and field-specific criteria.

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SMU at a Glance

An Urban, Interdisciplinary University

Founded on an interactive, seminar-style pedagogy and a research-education

nexus, SMU integrates management, computing, social sciences, law, accountancy, economics, and public policy. The university’s compact city campus fosters industry engagement, internships, and translational research collaborations across Singapore and the region.

Strategic Research Priorities

SMU’s priorities—Digital Transformation, Sustainable Living, and Growth in Asia—shape programme design, partnerships, and talent hiring. Consequently, early-career faculty find fertile ground for cross-school collaborations, access to industry partners, and a supportive environment for impact-oriented scholarship.

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Why SMU-PEP Stands Out

1) Prestigious Named Professorship

A Presidential title signals institutional trust and external visibility, aiding early grant success, lab recruitment, and research partnerships from the outset.

2) Strong Research Infrastructure

With start-up funds, studentships, and courtesy appointments, awardees can rapidly prototype, test, and publish. In parallel, they can build multi-year projects that mature into centres, labs, or consortia.

3) Holistic Benefits

Relocation, housing, conference, schooling, and medical provisions reduce friction, allowing scholars to focus on publishing, teaching, and grant development immediately.

4) Alignment with Global Priorities

The three pillars—digitalisation, sustainability, and Asia’s growth—mirror global agendas. Accordingly, faculty can situate work at the intersection of policy, industry, and academia, accelerating uptake and citation.

5) Career Development & Networks