Postdoctoral Fellow (Terrestrial Biosphere Model)
Job Description
The Ecosystem Function Lab (ecofunc.org) in the Department of Geography at the National University of Singapore is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow to study the terrestrial carbon cycle of tropical Asia, primarily through the development and application of terrestrial biosphere models. The ecosystems of interest include natural vegetation such as tropical forests and grasslands, as well as managed systems including oil palm plantations, rubber plantations, and rice paddies.
The successful candidate will be expected to develop and improve terrestrial biosphere models to accurately quantify regional carbon cycling, assess its changes over time, and evaluate its implications for climate change mitigation and sustainability efforts.
The ideal candidate should be highly creative, possess strong quantitative and critical-thinking skills, have a solid understanding of plant physiological processes and/or the terrestrial carbon cycle, and be able to work effectively in a diverse and interdisciplinary research environment. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal for up to three years, contingent upon satisfactory performance.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and apply a diagnostic terrestrial biosphere model to estimate key carbon fluxes across Southeast Asia, with specific representations of both natural and managed ecosystems.
- Conduct hypothesis-driven research to improve understanding of the land carbon cycle across diverse Southeast Asian ecosystems and their responses to environmental change.
- Lead or support field campaigns for model evaluation and validation, and facilitate communication and collaboration among research teams and project partners.
- Present research findings at international conferences and publish results in leading scientific journals.
Qualifications
- A PhD in Physical Geography, Ecology, Earth System Science, or a related discipline (preferably obtained within the past three years).
- Knowledge of the key processes governing the terrestrial carbon cycle; familiarity with plant physiology and/or soil biogeochemistry would be an advantage.
- Experience in the development, application, and improvement of land surface models, dynamic vegetation models, and/or terrestrial biosphere models.
- Proficiency in at least one programming language, such as MATLAB, R, or Python.
- Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.
- Strong quantitative, analytical, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should submit the following: 1) A letter of interest describing their research experience, research interests, and future research plans (1–2 pages); 2) A full curriculum vitae, including contact information for three referees. 3) A PDF copy of their best publication (optional). For full consideration, applications should be submitted by 1 August 2026.
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