Research Fellow (Computer Engineering/Computer Science/Electronics Engineering)
Nanyang Technological University · Singapore
About this role
The College of Computing and Data Science (CCDS) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is seeking a Research Fellow to join its research-intensive community. This role focuses on advancing cutting-edge technology in AI and computing. Key Responsibilities: Conduct research on reinforcement learning (RL); prepare and submit conference papers; co-supervise undergraduate and graduate students; support teaching activities including course preparation and student guidance; and assist in the preparation and writing of research grant proposals. Job Requirements: A PhD degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, or an equivalent field is required. Candidates must possess in-depth knowledge of RL and LLM-agent systems, along with a demonstrated capability to conduct innovative research. Essential attributes include being independent, highly analytical, proactive, and a strong team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Applicants should demonstrate the ability to formulate hypotheses, design effective experimental plans, implement new experimental methods, and initiate collaborative research within multidisciplinary teams. The role also requires overseeing and reporting on project progress, as well as a willingness to adapt and incorporate novel ideas and approaches in the scientific industry.
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A focused preparation guide, built around this job’s responsibilities and requirements.
✦ AI-generated guide
Preparation suggestions, not the employer’s actual interview questions. Always check the original posting for current requirements.
01
Understand the role
What matters most
Advancement of Reinforcement Learning and LLM-Agent Research
The core mandate is to conduct innovative research in RL and LLM-agent systems. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to formulate original hypotheses, design rigorous experimental plans, and implement novel methods to push the boundaries of current AI technology.
Academic Output and Grant Acquisition
The role requires active contribution to the academic community through the preparation and submission of high-quality conference papers. Additionally, the fellow must assist in drafting research grant proposals, which necessitates strong technical writing skills and the ability to articulate the value of research projects.
Mentorship and Pedagogical Support
Beyond individual research, the fellow is expected to co-supervise undergraduate and graduate students and support teaching activities. This requires balancing research productivity with the ability to provide effective student guidance and course preparation.
Likely challenges to think through
Balancing Independent Research with Collaborative Demands
The role demands high levels of independence while simultaneously requiring active participation in multidisciplinary teams. Prepare by highlighting past experiences where you successfully managed personal research milestones while contributing to group-based projects or collaborative publications.
Rapid Adaptation to Evolving AI Methodologies
The field of LLM-agents and RL is fast-moving. The challenge lies in staying current with novel approaches and integrating them into existing experimental frameworks. Prepare by discussing how you track emerging literature and your process for pivoting research strategies when new, more effective methods are identified.
03
Practice your answers
Technical practice
Reinforcement Learning Fundamentals
What to coverExplain the core components of a Markov Decision Process (MDP) and how you would approach selecting an appropriate reward function for a complex agent-based task. Be prepared to discuss the trade-offs between exploration and exploitation strategies in your previous research.
LLM-Agent Architectures
What to coverDescribe your experience designing or implementing LLM-agent systems. Discuss how you handle long-term memory, tool-use capabilities, and reasoning loops within these agents to improve task performance.
Experimental Design and Hypothesis Testing
What to coverWalk through your process for formulating a research hypothesis and designing a rigorous experimental plan. Explain how you ensure reproducibility and statistical significance when evaluating new AI models or methods.
Scientific Writing and Publication Strategy
What to coverDiscuss your approach to preparing high-quality conference papers. Focus on how you synthesize complex technical findings into clear, impactful narratives for top-tier academic venues.
Grant Proposal Development
What to coverDescribe your experience in assisting with research grant proposals. Highlight how you align technical research objectives with the specific goals and requirements of funding agencies.
Modeling and Simulation Methods
What to coverDetail the specific modeling or simulation methods you have used in your research. Explain why you chose these methods over alternatives and how you validated your models against empirical data.
Adapting to Novel Research Approaches
What to coverProvide an example of a time you had to pivot your research methodology due to new findings or emerging technologies. Explain how you evaluated the new approach and integrated it into your existing project.
Behavioural practice
Academic Supervision and Mentorship
What to coverDescribe a situation where you co-supervised an undergraduate or graduate student. Explain how you balanced providing guidance with fostering their independence and technical growth.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
What to coverGive an example of a successful collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. Focus on how you communicated your technical research to team members from different backgrounds and resolved any conflicting perspectives.
Project Management and Reporting
What to coverExplain how you manage and report on the progress of long-term research projects. Discuss the tools or frameworks you use to track milestones and communicate status updates to stakeholders.
Proactive Problem Solving
What to coverShare an example of a time you identified a bottleneck in your research and took the initiative to solve it. Detail the steps you took and the impact your solution had on the project's timeline or outcome.
02
Sharpen your knowledge
Topics to prepare
Reinforcement Learning (RL) Architectures
Review advanced RL frameworks, specifically focusing on multi-agent systems and policy optimization. This is critical as the role requires in-depth knowledge of RL to conduct innovative research and design experimental methods.
LLM-Agent System Integration
Study the intersection of Large Language Models and autonomous agent frameworks. Understanding how LLMs function as decision-making agents is a core requirement for this position's research focus.
Scientific Experimental Design
Refine methodologies for hypothesis formulation and rigorous experimental validation. The role explicitly demands the ability to design effective experimental plans and implement new methods for research reporting.
Skills to revise
Academic Grant Proposal Writing
Practice drafting structured research grant proposals. Since the role involves assisting in the preparation of these documents, demonstrating the ability to articulate research impact and methodology is essential.
Technical Academic Writing
Prepare a summary of a recent research project in a format suitable for a high-impact conference paper. This directly addresses the requirement to prepare and submit conference papers as a primary responsibility.
Mentorship and Supervision
Develop a strategy for guiding undergraduate or graduate students in a research setting. This is relevant because the role includes co-supervising students and supporting teaching activities.
04
Your preparation checklist
Synthesize your research portfolio on RL and LLM-agents
Prepare a concise summary of your PhD research, specifically highlighting your contributions to reinforcement learning and LLM-agent systems. Be ready to explain your hypothesis formulation, experimental design, and the impact of your findings in peer-reviewed publications.
Prepare a teaching and supervision philosophy statement
Draft a brief document outlining your approach to co-supervising undergraduate and graduate students. Include examples of how you have provided technical guidance, supported course preparation, or mentored junior researchers in a collaborative academic environment.
Develop a strategy for grant proposal contributions
Review your experience in academic writing and grant applications. Prepare to discuss how you can assist the CCDS faculty in drafting research proposals, including your ability to articulate complex technical goals for funding bodies.
Formulate questions regarding the research group's current projects
Prepare thoughtful questions about the specific multidisciplinary teams you would join, the current state of their RL/LLM-agent research, and the expectations for project reporting and progress tracking within the College of Computing and Data Science.
Availability last checked: 18 Oct 2026. Status can change after a check; confirm on the employer’s website. Report an issue · Our checking policy
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