Program Overview

NUS-DSO Graduate Programme

Objective

The objective of the programme is to attract, inspire, and nurture Singaporean talents to choose a career in defence and security research & development (R&D), while mentoring them in the skills of leadership and management. Resources and activities will be built-in to coach and groom technically competent local talents as future multi-disciplinary, application, and thought leaders.

Introduction

The programme aims to fund Singaporeans who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree relevant to the research needs of Temasek Laboratories (TL@NUS), Satellite Technology And Research Centre (STAR), and DSO National Laboratories. Selected candidates will be employed full-time as an Associate Scientist in TL@NUS or as an Engineer in STAR, while pursuing a PhD degree in one of the Schools in NUS on a part-time basis. The key uniqueness of the programme includes:

• 4 years of employment as a research staff in TL@NUS/STAR
• 4 years of part-time PhD tuition fee
• Overseas attachment with financial support
• Internship at DSO or other local defence technology community (DTC) partners
• Local and overseas conference support
• Leadership development programme
• Exposure to defence ecosystem

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a Singapore citizen
• Have obtained or expected to obtain (for final year students) at least Honours (Distinction) Degree
• Have a strong interest in research for defence science and application

Evaluation

Eligible and suitable applicants will be shortlisted, interviewed, and selected by a panel. The choice of PhD supervisors and research topics are subject to final approval by the panel of evaluation.

Career Opportunity

At the end of the programme, candidates may be offered continual employment in TL@NUS/STAR, on a case-by-case basis.

Admission Intake

Admission intakes are available in:

• August 2025
• January 2026
• August 2026