Job offer: RA and TSO for the Nee Soon Swamp Forest Project (closes 07 Jan 2011)

Research Assistant and Technical Support Officer Positions for the Nee Soon Swamp Forest Project, National University of Singapore

The approximately 80-ha Nee Soon Swamp Forest in Singapore is the last patch of primary freshwater swamp forest in Singapore and home to many nationally and globally rare species. Singapore’s National Parks Board recently commissioned the National University of Singapore to undertake a study of the hydrology and vegetation of this forest fragment.

We are seeking 3 enthusiastic Research Assistants and/or Technical Support Officers to join the Nee Soon Swamp Forest research group at the National University of Singapore. He/She will assist in:

• Compiling a list of plant species and habitat types in Nee Soon Swamp Forest from herbarium records, the literature and field surveys
• Collection of field data (e.g. plant specimen collection and identification, measurement of tree diameter-at-breast height, GPS location/marking) for input into eco-hydrological models
• Training in identification of key vascular plants of Nee Soon Swamp Forest
• Analysis and reporting of scientific data
• Administrative support, where necessary

Requirements
To meet the challenges of these roles, it is strongly preferred that all candidates possess:

• Relevant field experience in Singapore, Malaysian or Southeast Asian forests
• A valid class 3 Singapore driving license, with at least 2 years of experience

For the Research Assistant position, candidates must also have:

• A BSc, BSc (Hons) or MSc degree in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Forestry or a related subject
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong analytical skills

For the Technical Support Officer position, candidates must also have:

• A polytechnic diploma in Environmental Science or a related subject

This is a 15-month full-time position with a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Interested candidates are invited to send their CV to Anne Quah (dbsqkla@nus.edu.sg). The closing date for applications is 7 January 2011. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in the second or third week of January 2011.

Biodiversity Crew at 15th BSGC

A team of 5 graduate students from the biodiversity crew headed to the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the 15th Biological Sciences Graduate Congress (BSGC) from 15 – 17 Dec 2010.

The annual BSGC is a collaboration between the National University of Singapore, University of Malaya and Chulalongkorn University (Thailand), which takes turns to host the event. Graduate students of research institutions from from the 3 hosting nations, Philippines, India, Japan and the United States present their research in the field of Biodiversity and Ecology, Biochemistry and Physiology, Bioinformatics and Biotechnology and Cell and Molecular Biology.

Oral presentation by Toh Tai Chong

The crew was represented by:

1. Chong Kwek Yan – Using Herbarium Records to Assess Extinction Likelihood.
2. Chua Aik Hwee Marcus – Can Medium-sized Mammals Co-exist with Man on Pulau Ubin, Singapore.
3. Ng Jia Jun Daniel – Conservation Challenges of a Critically Endangered Freshwater Crab (Johor singaporensis) in Singapore.
4. Toh Tai Chong – Optimisation of Ex situ Scleractinian Coral Larval Rearing Techniques for Coral Reef Rehabilitation.
5. Ye Guanqiong – Restoration of Yundang Lagoon (Xiamen, China): Progress and Challenges.

Chong Kwek Yan from Plant Systematics Lab did us proud by clinching the 1st runner up prize for oral presentations in the biology and biodiversity category. Well done!

Chong Kwek Yan

The 16th BSGC will be hosted by NUS in 2011.

Job opening: RA position with the Freshwater Biomonitoring team (closes 27 Dec 2010)

Research Assistant/Technical Support Officer opportunities with the Freshwater Biomonitoring team in NUS.

The monitoring of Singapore’s freshwaters is critical for the protection and management our water resources. The Public Utilities Board recently commissioned the National University of Singapore to undertake monitoring of water quality and stream health using freshwater invertebrates as indicator taxa in various aquatic habitats in Singapore.

We are seeking for two enthusiastic Research Assistants and/or Laboratory Technicians to join current biomonitoring team.

Job Scope:

• Carry out regular field studies at various sites in Singapore
• Laboratory-based work with freshwater invertebrates
• Analysis and reporting of scientific data
• Administrative support for the monitoring project

The candidates should possess:

• a polytechnic diploma or degree in biology or a related subject
• field experience
• a passion for ecological-based scientific research

For Research Assistant positions:

• excellent written and oral communication skills
• strong analytical skills preferred

Candidates possessing valid driving license are strongly preferred. Knowledge of freshwater invertebrates would also be advantageous.

Experience of ecological sampling protocols and/or working with freshwater macro-invertebrates would be advantageous. However, full training will be provided.

Interested candidates are invited to send their CV to Mr Adam Quek at dbsqrf@nus.edu.sg.
The closing date for applications is 27th December 2010.

Interviews will take place during the the first week of January in 2011.