About Qarbotech

Qarbotech is a nanotechnology and agritech company developing Carbon Quantum Dot (CQD)-based solutions to address global challenges in food security and sustainable energy. Our flagship product, QarboGrow, leverages CQD technology to enhance photosynthesis and improve crop yields for farmers across Southeast Asia. As we expand our technology platform into photovoltaic and advanced materials applications, we are looking for a Research Project Manager to lead and drive this frontier research effort from within our R&D team.

Role Overview

This is a full-time role for a scientist who wants to work at the frontier of carbon nanomaterials and take responsibility for delivering a research programme end to end. You will lead the exploration and development of Qarbotech’s CQD technology in two key application areas: solar cell enhancement and functional polymer film systems.

The role combines hands-on research with programme ownership. You will design and execute experiments, but you will also set the research roadmap, manage timelines and deliverables, coordinate collaborators and external laboratories, and translate scientific findings into commercially relevant insights. This role sits within Qarbotech’s R&D function and reports directly to the Chief Scientist, with close collaboration with the broader leadership team on technology strategy and IP development.

This is an opportunity to do meaningful, original research in a fast-moving startup environment — with real commercial stakes and the potential for your work to define a new product category for the company.

Key Responsibilities

Research Programme Planning & Delivery

• Define and maintain the research roadmap across the solar cell and polymer film workstreams, with clear milestones, timelines, and success criteria.

• Manage project resources, budgets, and equipment and materials procurement in coordination with the operations team.

• Track progress against milestones and report outcomes, risks, and recommended course corrections to the Chief Scientist and leadership team.

• Coordinate the work of junior researchers, research assistants, and interns contributing to the programme.

CQD Synthesis & Property Engineering

• Design and optimise CQD synthesis protocols (hydrothermal, microwave-assisted, or other routes) to produce materials with tunable optical and electronic properties suited to photovoltaic and polymer applications.

• Conduct systematic characterisation of CQD samples using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM, and DLS to establish structure-property relationships.

• Investigate surface passivation, functionalisation strategies, and doping approaches to improve quantum yield, stability, and compatibility with target application matrices.

• Maintain a rigorous, well-documented research library of synthesis conditions and corresponding material properties.

Solar Cell Research & Device Development

• Lead experimental investigation into the integration of CQDs as photosensitising, down-conversion, or light-scattering layers within solar cell architectures, including DSSC, perovskite, and organic photovoltaic systems.

• Fabricate and test prototype photovoltaic devices incorporating CQD layers; measure and analyse device performance metrics including power conversion efficiency (PCE), open-circuit voltage (Voc),

short-circuit current density (Jsc), and fill factor.

• Systematically investigate how CQD concentration, film deposition method, and layer configuration influence device performance.

• Conduct a comprehensive review of current literature on CQD-enhanced photovoltaic systems and use this to continuously refine the experimental roadmap.

• Identify pathways toward scalable device integration and work with the team on translating findings into protectable IP.

Polymer Film Research

• Investigate the incorporation of CQDs into polymer matrices — including PVA, PMMA, EVA, and other relevant systems — for optical and functional applications.

• Characterise the optical transparency, photoluminescence behaviour, UV-filtering efficacy, and mechanical properties of CQD-embedded polymer films.

• Explore target applications including luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), UV-protective agricultural greenhouse films, and optically functional coatings.

• Develop and optimise film fabrication processes (casting, spin-coating, or scalable deposition methods) with an eye toward eventual manufacturability.

• Assess long-term photostability and degradation behaviour of CQD-polymer composites under simulated environmental conditions.

Research Output & IP

• Produce high-quality research documentation including experimental protocols, data reports, and technical summaries for internal use.

• Prepare and contribute to academic publications and conference presentations where results merit external dissemination.

• Work with the leadership team to identify patentable innovations and support the preparation of IP disclosures.

• Contribute to grant applications and technology development proposals as relevant.

Collaboration & Research Strategy

• Work closely with the Chief Scientist to define the medium-term research roadmap for CQD applications beyond agriculture.• Collaborate with the broader Qarbotech team — including commercial and operations — to ensure research priorities are aligned with market and product strategy.

• Identify, establish, and manage research collaborations with universities, institutes, and external laboratories where complementary capabilities exist.

• Mentor and guide junior researchers, research assistants, and interns working within the R&D function.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• A Master’s or PhD degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology, or a closely related discipline.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in a nanomaterials or photovoltaics research laboratory, including proficiency in synthesis and characterisation of quantum dots or carbon nanomaterials.

• Experience managing a research project or workstream end to end — scoping, planning, execution, and reporting.

• Strong working knowledge of optical characterisation techniques: UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence, FTIR, and electron microscopy.

• Proven ability to independently design experiments, interpret data, and generate scientifically sound conclusions.

• Track record of research output: peer-reviewed publications, conference contributions, or thesis work in a relevant area.

• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills in English.

Preferred

• Direct experience with solar cell device fabrication and characterisation (IV curves, EQE, IPCE measurements).

• Experience with polymer composite processing or thin film deposition techniques (spin-coating, doctor blading, slot-die coating).

• Familiarity with luminescent solar concentrators or optical polymer systems.

• Experience with computational or data analysis tools: MATLAB, Python, or Origin for spectral and device data processing.

• Experience coordinating multi-party or grant-funded research projects.

• Prior experience in a startup, industry R&D, or commercially oriented research environment is an advantage.

• Existing networks with regional research institutions in materials science or energy technology.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to lead original, high-impact research on an emerging nanomaterial platform with real commercial applications.

• Significant scientific autonomy and ownership over your research agenda.

• Direct collaboration with the founding team and visibility across the company’s technology strategy.

• A pathway to co-authorship on publications and contribution to Qarbotech’s IP portfolio.

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

• A mission-driven team working on technology that matters — from food security to clean energy.Role Details

Location: Singapore

Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Start Date: Open — we welcome applications on a rolling basis