Research Fellow (Biological Sciences)

Interested applicants are invited to apply directly at the NUS Career Portal. Please note your application will only be processed if you apply via NUS Career Portal.

NUS Career Portal link: https://careers.nus.edu.sg/job/Research-Fellow-%28Biological-Sciences%29/33103-en_GB/

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Job Description

The Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions (CNCS) at the National University of Singapore invites applications for the position of Research Fellow, who will contribute to the development and application of approaches for estimating forest carbon stocks across tropical ecosystems in Southeast Asia. The appointment is for an initial period of one year with the possibility of renewal and is expected to begin as soon as possible.

The successful candidate will contribute to research on quantifying forest biomass and carbon stocks across multiple forest types in Southeast Asia, including peat swamp, mangrove, and terrestrial forests. The role will involve integrating field inventory data with multiple remote sensing datasets (e.g., optical, radar, and LiDAR) to support modelling, data analysis, and dataset development relevant to forest carbon estimation.

The main responsibilities of the position include:

• Contribute to the development and refinement of methodologies for estimating aboveground (and potentially belowground) biomass and carbon stocks using field and remote sensing datasets.
• Conduct geospatial analysis and modelling using large remote sensing datasets, including optical, radar, and LiDAR data.
• Support the development of reproducible data processing workflows for forest carbon estimation.
• Assist in the integration and synthesis of datasets collected by the project team and collaborating partners.
• Support the design and implementation of field surveys and forest inventory data collection across different forest ecosystems in Southeast Asia.
• Contribute to collaborations with government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, and private sector partners.
• Lead or contribute to the preparation of research manuscripts and technical reports arising from the project.
• Contribute to improving models as new datasets become available and provide analytical insights for model development.
• Improving model(s) as new datasets become available and provide regular updates and insights on what needs to be done to improve the model(s)
• Lead the preparation of research manuscripts and contribute to reports on a country level.

Qualifications

PhD in Natural Sciences, Climate Science, Geography, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.

Skills:

• Experience handling and analysing large geospatial datasets
• Experience applying remote sensing analysis to ecological or environmental systems
• Proficiency in statistical computing and geospatial analysis using R and/or Python
• Experience working with remote sensing datasets (e.g., optical, LiDAR, SAR)
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary research team
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Experience (required unless otherwise stated):

• Experience processing and analysing remote sensing datasets for ecosystem monitoring or biomass estimation 
• Experience integrating field inventory data with geospatial datasets 
• Experience conducting or organising field surveys (e.g., forest inventory or ecological monitoring) 
• A record of peer-reviewed publications relevant to remote sensing, ecosystem modelling, or carbon assessment

Advantageous:

• Experience working with LiDAR-derived forest structure metrics
• Experience with UAV-based remote sensing and/or terrestrial laser scanning 
• Experience working on carbon accounting or nature-based climate solutions 
• Experience collaborating in multi-institutional research projects
• Experience working with carbon standards, carbon accounting frameworks, or MRV (Measurement, Reporting and Verification) systems, including familiarity with standards bodies (e.g., Verra, Gold Standard, ART-TREES) or related methodologies

About the Centre
The QS World University rankings regularly place NUS in the top 15 universities in the world and number one in Asia. The NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions is the focal point for world-class research and thought leadership on climate change impacts and solutions in service of society. The Centre aims to deliver new knowledge and solutions to inform policies, strategies and actions by producing credible, salient and legitimate science that informs nature-based climate strategies and actions, building capacity and empowering leadership and communicating and engaging with the wider society. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested applicants should submit the following by 15 August 2026: 

• Cover letter
• CV 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.