Head of Scientific Applications, Singapore

About this role

ABOUT CUSPAI

CuspAI is the frontier AI company on a mission to solve the breakthrough materials needed to power human progress. While nature took billions of years to perfect molecules, we are harnessing AI to unlock trillion-dollar materials breakthroughs in months, not millennia. Our founding team is the most cited in the world, comprised of world-class researchers in AI, chemistry and engineering.

We are working on some of the hardest and most important challenges including energy, clean water, the future of compute, and carbon capture, and this is just the start of what our 'search engine' for next-generation materials will unlock.

We invite you to be part of a diverse, innovative team at the intersection of AI and materials science, working to create impactful partnerships that drive innovation, scalability, and industry collaboration. This work matters. Your work matters.

We’re on the cusp of the on-demand materials era. Join us.

THE ROLE

Due to growth and strategic expansion, we are seeking an experienced Head of Scientific Applications (SG) to be the primary technical face for CuspAI projects in Singapore, leading local technical teams and translating commercial requirements into technical strategy and deliverables.

YOUR IMPACT

Working closely with the Managing Director, Singapore and the Senior Leadership Team in Europe, you will be building the technical strategy and project execution framework that translates deep-tech AI capabilities into tangible commercial solutions.

Acting as a bridge between our world-class AI/Engineering teams and our commercial and scientific partners in Singapore, you will play a critical part in accelerating CuspAI’s growth and mission-driven impact in the APAC region by ensuring technical deliverables are aligned with real-world needs.

Your main focus initially will be to grow and manage a high-performing technical team and establish yourself as the primary technical contact for all regional projects. Over time you are likely to get involved in driving the technical roadmap for key partnerships, expanding CuspAI’s influence across new application domains in the region, and contributing to the global CuspAI roadmap in collaboration with the senior leadership team.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Regional Technical Leadership & Strategy

- Act as the main technical point of contact for all CuspAI projects and partnerships in Singapore.

- Develop and articulate the technical capabilities of the CuspAI platform to partners and potential clients.

- Play hands-on roles in all aspects of technical projects, including writing detailed technical proposals, defining project objectives, and delivering projects.

Technical Translation & Execution

- Translate high-level commercial requirements from the Chief Strategy Officer, Managing Director, Singapore and partners into achievable, well-defined technical work packages and realistic deliverables.

- Work closely with Technical Program Managers (TPMs), Application Scientists, and the core ML and Platform Engineering teams to map out project timelines and resource allocation.

Team Management & Development

- Grow and manage a small, local team of Applications Scientists, setting performance goals, mentoring, and fostering a collaborative, high-impact environment.

- Provide line management and technical guidance to ML and ML Ops Engineers in the region, ensuring strong alignment with our CTO and VP Platform Engineering in Europe.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

- Partner closely with the CTO, VP Platform Engineering and VP Scientific Engineering to ensure the Singapore technical strategy is deeply integrated with the global platform and research development roadmap.

- Work closely with the ML team and experimental lab partners to ensure project execution leverages the most advanced capabilities of the CuspAI platform.

MUST HAVE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

- PhD or equivalent in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related computational field.

- A strong computational modelling background in chemistry or materials science.

- Deep and broad subject matter expertise across multiple materials science disciplines relevant to CuspAI, such as: Semiconductors, Catalysis, Separations & Surfaces, or Energy materials.

- Proven experience in line managing, mentoring, and helping to develop a technical team (e.g. Application Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, or similar highly technical roles).

- Experience working on a range of external projects, translating requirements into deliverables.

- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, specifically the ability to translate complex, deep-tech concepts into clear, commercial requirements and vice-versa.

- Experienced and comfortable operating across both technical and commercial domains.

- A personal interest and passion for the potential applications of the technology that CuspAI is building, driven by the mission to solve world-changing challenges in this domain.

BONUS POINTS (BUT NOT CRITICAL):

- Demonstrated exposure to how AI/Machine Learning is currently applied in these areas.

- Direct experience or strong awareness of laboratory automation and data generation pipelines for high-throughput experiments.

- Prior experience working in an early-stage start-up environment or a fast-moving, ambiguous deep-tech setting.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

This role will be based in Singapore, with the expectation of being in the office at least three days per week. Your working hours will need to have some overlap with our other teams in Europe, while also allowing you to work effectively with local partners.

As part of your onboarding, you will be expected to spend at least a few weeks in our Cambridge/London office learning about our platform and getting to know us in person.

Additionally, there may be regular travel required to Europe and other regional and global locations…