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 2019 – 28th Feb 2019 (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.