[Job]: Full-Time Research Assistant position in Insect Diversity Lab

The Insect Diversity Lab at the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, is in search of a full-time Research Assistant. We study global insect diversity with current focus on bees and related wasps of Southeast Asia. A key goal is to develop taxonomic infrastructure and to use this to advance research on insect urban ecology, behaviour, and conservation.

Core Responsibilities include:

• Organise and conduct DNA barcoding work for bees of Singapore and Southeast Asia.
• Specimen preparation, database entries, DNA extractions, PCR and data analyses.
• Coordinate with collaborators within the NUS Department of Biological Sciences and overseas.

Additional Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Data entry and management of specimen and bibliographic databases.
• Technical and report/scientific paper editing.
• Processing of collected specimens (pinning, labeling, curating, and dissection for DNA).
• Specimen imaging using an imaging system.
• Acting as a liaison with various external agencies, e.g. NParks to obtain permits.
• Field sampling of bees/wasps using a sweep net.

Abilities:

• Prior experience with molecular taxonomy, especially DNA barcoding and molecular diagnostics.
• Prior experience in the field of entomology will help but can be picked up on the job.
• Written and verbal competency in the English language is a necessity.
• Familiarity with NGS barcoding techniques is desirable.
• Prior technical expertise or familiarity with software used in data management, analysis, and visualization is preferred.
• Additional abilities/experience in statistics is desirable.
• The candidate should be conscientious and adaptive, and enthusiastic about working with insects both alive and dead.
• The job requires attention to detail and the ability to maintain focus when working independently.

Application details

• This position is for 1 year, with potential for renewal.
• Applicants should be ready to start work in January 2019.
• Degree in Life Sciences or related field.
• Remuneration: SGD $3,000/month (dependent on qualifications and includes CPF contribution for Singaporeans/PR).
• Interested applicants should submit their CV, a short write-up about how this job may contribute to the applicant’s long term goals, and a sample of their academic writing.
• Please submit these to Dr John Ascher (dbsajs@nus.edu.sg) and Miss Ong Xin Rui (dbsoxr@nus.edu.sg) by 16 November 2018.
• Short-listed applicants will be notified for an interview by end-November 2018.

Assistant Professor John Stoskopf Ascher
Department of Biological Sciences
National University of Singapore
14, Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543
Email: dbsajs@nus.edu.sg

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Job: Full-time Research Assistant for NUS‒NParks Marine Debris Project (6 months; deadline 31 Oct 2018)

The Research Assistant will assist in the NUS‒NParks Marine Debris Project, which involves establishing a national baseline data of marine debris. The role involves mainly assistance in the marine debris monitoring programme, volunteer management and processing of microplastic samples.

The is a 6-month full-time position with monthly pay and remuneration depends on qualification.

The job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting in marine debris monitoring programme and workshops.
• Laboratory-based work involving sorting and identifying of microplastics from sediments.

Job requirements:

• An undergraduate degree in Sciences/Biology/Environmental Studies or a biology-related field.
• Able to work on weekends to carry out marine debris monitoring programme.
• Meticulous, responsible and careful with samples and data management.
• Good organizational skills and excellent attention to detail is essential.
• Strong oral, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Any experience in sorting (e.g., macroinvertebrate) is desirable.

Desirable:

• A good knowledge and experience in marine debris and microplastics.
• Experience in volunteer management.
• Good at data management and experience with data analysis.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to Ms Joleen Chan at joleen.chan@nus.edu.sg by 31 October 2018. Shortlisted applicants will be notified for the interview by mid–Nov 2018.

Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology publishes A Special Tribute to Dr. Benito Tan

The Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology has published “A Special Tribute to Dr. Benito Tan” – please see their webpage for the articles. It includes an article by Ho Boon-Chuan Ho and James R. Shevock entitled, “A tribute to Benito C. Tan (1946–2016), distinguished muscologist”.

“Benito’s interest in Asian mosses brought him back to Asia where he took up the position of Associate Professor in Botany in the National University of Singapore (NUS) from 1998 to 2007.”

He is fondly remembered by us all.

Thanks to Adrian Loo for the alert.

Call for Student Research Assistant for Songbird Trade Project (Nov 2018 – Feb 2019)

Project Overview

The keeping of songbirds is a popular pastime in Southeast Asia. However, unsustainable trapping pressures is one of the main drivers of species loss in the region. The dearth of consumer demand data impedes the effective implementation of conservation plans. This project aims to understand the underlying drivers of demand for songbirds in Singapore. We hope to implement an evidence-based approach to wildlife trade campaigns, to influence consumer preferences with demand-centric conservation efforts.

• We are looking for enthusiastic students, with an interest in wildlife conservation, to conduct market-research style surveys with a specific target audience across Singapore.
• This project is a joint collaboration with Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Reserves Singapore and BirdLife International. This is an exciting opportunity to work with both local and non-governmental organisations on a conservation project in Singapore

Duration

• 1st Nov – 28th Feb (Part-time position with a non-traditional schedule — time of day, and days of week, will vary depending on research needs).
• The candidate would need to dedicate a few hours each week for data collection.

Remuneration

• Non-traditional pay scheme (non-hourly); project-based pay with flexible working days/hours. Exact duration to be confirmed.

Candidate Requirements

• Keen interest in environment, nature, conservation and its social aspects.
• Self-motivated and highly independent individual.
• Highly methodical and meticulous with data collection and management.
• Strong conversational, communication and interpersonal skills. Fluent in both written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in Mandarin and/or Bahasa Melayu would be advantageous. Proficiency in dialects (hokkien etc.) would be a plus.
• Non-honours students are also welcome to apply

Application

• To apply, send your CV by 29 September, a brief paragraph highlighting why you are a good fit for this position to chiokwenxuan@u.nus.edu.
• Shortlisted applicants would be notified for an interview in early Oct. There is also a possibility for selected candidates to explore a Honours internship position with Birdlife in AY18/19 Semester 2.

 

Job: Applied Conservation or Sustainable Development (Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, Educator Track) and three tenure track positions in Vector Biology, Fish Biology / Aquaculture, Cryo-EM

The Department of Biological Sciences (DBS), National University of Singapore (NUS), invites applications for an educator track faculty position at the Lecturer or Senior Lecturer level in Applied Conservation or Sustainable Development. [link]

Positions are also open for tenure track faculty in the following areas:

1. Vector Biology
2. Fish Biology / Aquaculture
3. Cryo-EM

All jobs openings can be viewed at the Jobs in DBS webpage.

Fri 24 Aug 2018: 4.30pm – Weiting speaks about Civet ecology and human-civet coexistence @ SR2, NUS DBS

A wonderful afternoon at the Kent Ridge Alumni Family Day (18 Aug 2018)

Did you see us at the Kent Ridge Alumni Family Day (18 Aug 2018)?
It was the first time that the NUS Biodiversity Crew (Dr Amy Choong & Xu Weiting) and Life Sciences Society (LSS) undergraduates participated in this alumni family day.

The guests were a diverse lot – visitors, exchange students, current students and alumni from other faculties and ex-students visited the booth. They were drawn to the booth by the games designed by LSS and intrigued by the specimens we brought along to share stories about – a common palm civet specimen, cocoa and coffee plants. Visitors learnt about pedigree and genetics through the games and discovered more about civets and the tragic link with kopi luwak.

That evening, NUS President Tan Eng Chye graced the event and visited the booths. We warmly welcomed him with civet stories and he was intrigued that NUS also has civets.

We enjoyed ourselves so the four-hours passed by rather quickly as the team made the effort to interact with as many visitors as possible. They in turn enjoyed learning about the new things that are happening at the Department of Biological Sciences in NUS’ Faculty of Science.

Special thanks to all the LSS volunteers (Genevieve Tang, Nicholas Yeo, Leanne Teh, Wong Zhi Wei, Benjamin Tan, Loshini D/O Sunthar, Nicholas Seng & Muhammad Faiq), Fatin Nadzirah Bte Zahari, Tan Xing Zhi for manning the booth. And Mrs Ang-Lim Swee Eng, Mr Kaka Singh and Mr Ismail Bin Arshad for helping to take the plant photos and to collect the plant specimens.