Job: Biodiversity Specialist/Ecological Engineer

Singapore Environmental Consultancy and Solutions Pte Ltd
Webpage: www.secs.sg

Job: Biodiversity Specialist/ Ecological Engineer

Requirements & Responsibilities:

1. Degree in Biodiversity or equivalent qualification is preferred 
2. Be responsible in preparation of biodiversity reports for submission to clients 
3. Be responsible for approaching individual biodiversity experts for the execution of the project, in the areas of flora and fauna
4. Be instrumental in collaboration projects between NUS and SECS 
5. Willing to travel overseas for biodiversity jobs and assignments 
6. Be proficient in GIS modelling/software. Having Auto-cad skills is preferred but not compulsory.
7. Having a class three driving licence is preferred but not compulsory

For anny enquiries about the job, please write to linda@secs.sg or visit the website at www.secs.sg. No telephone enquiries are entertained.

Job: Two full-time junior researchers (BSc required) for Dense & Green Buildings project (by 26 May 2017)

Dense and Green Building Typologies, Future Cities Laboratory, ETH Zurich & SUTD

We are looking for two junior researchers to contribute in determining the environmental and economic benefits of plants on and around buildings under the Dense & Green Building Typologies project at the Singapore ETH centre in CREATE at University Town NUS, and assist in other duties as required.

Project description:
The Dense & Green Building Typology research team at the Future Cities Laboratory (FCL) investigates new building typologies with public and green spaces in high-density urban environment in terms of their environmental, social, architectural/urban and economic benefits. The findings will be integrated and translated into strategies and guidelines for architectural design and urban planning. The project is jointly led by ETH Zürich and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). The duration of the project is 3 years. More information about the project can be found here.

Responsibilities:
Successful applicants will be expected to assist in some of the following tasks:

1. Visit selected buildings in Singapore’s urban areas to:
   • Identify plant species on and around buildings
   • Assist in collecting data from temperature sensors, thermal imaging cameras, terrestrial LiDAR scanners, Leaf Area Index measuring equipment and air quality monitoring equipment
2. Conduct desk based research at FCL in CREATE (NUS University Town):
   • Reviewing literature to contribute to a database outlining the environmental benefits of plant species and different densities of plants
   • Create basic maps and statistics on the environmental benefits of plant species using online and field collected data
   • Collecting (online) economic and environmental data of buildings incorporating plants
   • Contribute to academic journal and book publications in terms of text, figures, diagrams and maps.

Requirements of Candidates
We expect successful applications to:

• Have a strong enthusiasm for environmental research
• Either have either:
  • Plant/forest biology or ecology knowledge;
  • Other biodiversity/ecology skills; or
  • Have a background in environmental science climate or air quality related research
• Work independently on-site and in the office with guidance from project members
• Be able to communicate their ideas for the project with team members and come up with creative ways to address the project research questions
• Have at least a BSc in environmental science, ecology, or a related field
• Certain basic skills are required (using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• An ability to use ArcGIS and R would also be a bonus but is not required

The expected start date for the position is June/July 2017. Please submit applications for the position by the 26th of May 2017.

Supporting documents for application:
Curriculum Vitae highlighting:

• Work experience in environmental research
• Relevant skills including from university modules undertaken with knowledge gained

Benefits:
The successful applicants will receive:

• A salary competitive with other positions of this type in Singapore
• First-hand experience with urban architectural and ecological research related to green spaces, within an international team at an internationally recognised department.
• Experience planning and executing their own research

For further information about the position, please contact Richard Belcher (belcher@arch.ethz.ch)
Work location: 1 Create Way, CREATE Tower, Singapore 138602 (NUS University Town)
The Singapore-ETH-Centre is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer. All candidates will be evaluated on their merits and qualifications, without regards to gender, race, age or religion.

Job: Student Assistant surveyors for Illegal Wildlife Trade project (jun – Jul)

Hosted by Nanyang Technological University, in collaboration with the Oxford Martin Programme on the Illegal Wildlife Trade at the University of Oxford.

Position Overview

• We are looking for enthusiastic Chinese Singaporeans, who are current university students or recent graduates, to conduct market-research style surveys with the public.

Project Overview

• We are working to understand and influence consumers who use an endangered species as a form of traditional medicine.
• Particularly, we hope to implement an evidence-based approach to wildlife trade campaigns addressing consumer demand using methods from the health field, which have not previously been applied in conservation.

Duration:

• 1st & 2nd June (training days – paid)
• 5th June – 14th July (Full-time position with a non-traditional schedule — time of day, and days of week, will vary depending on research needs).

Compensation:

• 12SGD/hour (plus reimbursement for research expenses, such as transport between survey locals)

Details & Qualifications:

• A team of four surveyors will conduct market-research style surveys throughout Singapore. This will involve engaging passer-byes at malls, parks, etc. and asking them to complete a short tablet-based survey about their fever medication preferences.
• We need people who can not only be engaging with the public, but are also highly methodical and repeatable with their procedure.
• Strong Mandarin speaking skills are also important, as some participants may wish to speak to you in Chinese.
• The position will be about 40 hours/week spread across 5 days/week. We will need to collect surveys in the evenings, and on weekends, so some weeks, for example, you may work Saturday but not Friday. Variability also gives us flexibility though, and so working around days you need off, is also possible.

To Apply:

• Send your CV and a brief paragraph highlighting why you are a good fit for this position to Hunter Doughty as soon as possible.

Hunter Doughty
Doctoral Researcher
University of Oxford
Email: hunter.doughty@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Job: Research Assistant @ Insect Diversity Lab (deadline: 10 Jun 2017)

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.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

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

Abilities:

• Prior experience in the field of entomology will help greatly but can be picked up on the job.
• Written and verbal competency in the English language is a necessity.
• Prior technical expertise or familiarity with software used in data management, analysis, and visualization is preferred.
• Additional abilities/experience in statistics and/or genomics is desirable, but absence of either is not a preclusion for consideration of hire.
• 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 early May.
• 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 dbsajs@nus.edu.sg and benjamin.ho@nus.edu.sg.
• Short-listed applicants will be notified for an interview

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

LSM4263 Field Studies in Biodiversity – open for registration by Wed 31 May 2017

Dear Students
Registration is now open for LSM4263 – Field Studies in Biodiversity!

This 4MC-module is conducted in Special Term Part 2, AY2016/2017. The module duration is from 19 June 2017 (Monday), to 28 July 2017 (Friday). A more detailed timetable will be available later. More information about the module is available at http://tinyurl.com/lsm4263-nus.

To qualify, students should:

• Be EITHER a LSM Major with specialisation in Environmental Biology (EVB), OR from the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) programme;
• Be continuing into their Honours year in AY2017/2018;
• Possess a CAP of 3.2 or above;
• Be willing to cover part of the module cost (amounting to less than S$400).

The field trip to Pulau Tioman is from 6 July 2017 (Thursday), to 12 July 2017 (Wednesday). Local accommodation will be at Paya Beach Resort [link].

Local student enrolment is limited to 30 students, and priority is given to students who have passed LSM2251 Ecology and Environment, or other relevant experience.

To register, please complete the form at www.tinyurl.com/lsm4263signup.

Registration ends on 31 May 2017 (Wednesday), 6:00 pm.

Accepted student applicants will be notified by email.

Fri 21 Apr 2017: 10.30am (*time change*) @ S1-03-02 CR2 – Zhang Yuchen on “Modelling of cropland expansion and its effects on biodiversity in Myanmar”

Department of Biological Sciences
National University of Singapore
Qualifying Exam

“Modelling of cropland expansion and its effects on biodiversity”

By Zhang Yuchen
Graduate Student, Dept. of Biological Sciences, NUS
Friday 21 April 2017: 10.30am | S1-03-02 – Conference Room-II (S1, Level 3, mezzanine)(*note the time change*) 
Supervisor: Asst Prof Carrasco T, L Roman

Abstract – While the world population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, global crop demand is projected to increase by 100-110%. Demand for food is rising in tandem with a growing population, and accelerated by contaminant diet changes. Agricultural expansion is one of the common ways to meet this increasing food demand but it is also a major global driver of deforestation. With increasing world market integration, demand for new land is likely to be concentrated in tropical developing nations that have large areas of land suitable for agriculture. However, these are also areas in the early stages of forest transition and that have high conservation importance. In the face of these rising pressures, spatially explicit predictions of future demand for agricultural land could play a critical role in guiding conservation efforts to conserve key biodiversity areas.

Many forests have so far been spared due to inaccessibility, possibly due to lack of infrastructure and political and economic constraints on investment. For instance, recent political and economic liberalization in Myanmar is expected to remove some of these constraints and lead to increased investment into agriculture and thus increased risk of deforestation. In order to protect Myanmar’s rich biodiversity, we urgently need to predict areas at highest risk of deforestation with a view to designing a robust network of protected areas. Therefore, Myanmar could be used as a case study to model cropland expansion and its effects on biodiversity before modelling global cropland expansion and its environmental impacts.

I thus aim to 1) investigate how cropland in Myanmar would expand after political and economic reforms and its influence on the Key Biodiversity Areas; 2) project how global cropland would expand temporally and spatially and examine its biodiversity consequences; 3) map spatially-explicit global conservation economic cost based on forgone agricultural rent; 4) prioritize human-centered global conservation resource allocation facing increasing food demand and projected cropland expansion.

Thu 13 April 2017: 10am @ DBS CR1 (S3-05) – “Past, Present and Future of Southeast Asian Peatlands” by Lahiru Suranga Wijedasa

Department of Biological Sciences
National University of Singapore
Qualifying Exam

“Past, Present and Future of Southeast Asian Peatlands”

Lahiru Suranga Wijedasa
Graduate Student, Dept. of Biological Sciences, NUS
Thu 13 April 2017: 10am | DBS Conference Room (S3, Level 5)
Supervisor: Asst. Prof Ryan Chisholm

Abstract – Southeast Asian peatswamp forests are wetland ecosystems created and maintained by the interaction of vegetation and hydrology. Extreme habitat conditions such as high acidity, low nutrients and fluctuating water tables have resulted in special adaptations and high levels of endemism in peatswamp biodiversity. The conditions that led to adaptations (i.e. high acidity and low oxygen levels) have also resulted in peatswamps accumulating and storing vast quantities of carbon. While understanding peatswamp biodiversity and carbon storage is still in its early stages, vast areas of peatswamp forests have already been converted or have been designated for conversion to agriculture with the loss of biodiversity and release of vast quantities of carbon into the atmosphere.

I aim to reduce uncertainties in our understanding of Southeast Asian peatswamp biodiversity distribution, management and conservation through the following three chapters: 1) quantify drivers of land use change and estimate resultant CO2 emissions, 2) quantify and estimate above ground biomass distribution, 3) prioritize peatswamp areas for conservation and 4) understand the drivers of forest structure in peatswamps.