Past Hirings

Comparative Ecology of Cities: Understanding Patterns, Processes and Properties of Cities to Improve Urban Conditions (closed)

We are inviting applications for the following positions for the project “Comparative Ecology of Cities: Understanding Patterns, Processes and Properties of Cities to Improve Urban Conditions” which is part of the Future Cities Lab Global Programme

(1) Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow as Project Coordinator (PhD), Term: 42 months, Base: Singapore

(2) Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PhD), Term: 24 months, Base: Singapore

(3) Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PhD), Term: 24 months, Base: Zurich

(4) Research Associate (Msc), Term: 24 months, Base: Singapore

The project is expected to commence in June 2022, and the appointments and compensation will be commensurate with qualification and experience. The maximum duration of employment is as indicated above, or earlier based on the project completion date, and subject to periodic performance review. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work as part of an interdisciplinary and international team in a dynamic research environment.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The project is centred on the proposition that urban pattern-process-function relationships provide valuable knowledge to advance the science of urban planning. The project builds upon emerging theoretical and empirical evidence that patterns of human settlement systems (urban patterns) shape social and ecological processes (urban processes), and such processes in turn, dictate the key demands of urban living such as social relations, mobility, economic exchanges, biophysical environment, ecological conditions, etc. (urban functions). The project will investigate such pattern-process-function relationships across a number of cities to develop generalizations that can be used as urban planning and design principles to guide sustainable urban development, which will be tested in design studios. The main methods employed are remote sensing, spatial pattern analyses, data mining from global datasets, applications of mechanistic and empirical models, and statistical modelling for 5 key domains: urban climate, hydrology, biodiversity, public health and social-economic exchanges.

The successful candidates will work with the interdisciplinary team comprising:

Principal Investigators

  •       Prof. Dr Tan Puay Yok (CDE, NUS)
  •       Prof. Dr Paolo Burlando (D-BAUG, ETHZ)

Co-Investigators and Collaborators

  •       Assoc. Prof. Dr Simone Fatichi (CDE, NUS)
  •       Asst. Prof. Dr Zhang Ye (CDE, NUS)
  •       Assoc. Prof. Hwang Yun Hye (CDE, NUS)
  •       Dr Daniel Richards (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, New Zealand)
  •       Prof. Dr Jun Yang (Tsinghua Urban Institute, Tsinghua University)
  •       Assoc. Prof. Dr Mark McDonnell (School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne)
  •       Dr Amy Hahs (School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne)
  •       Dr Brenda Lin (Land and Water Flagship, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia)
  •      Dr Gabriele Manoli (Faculty of Engineering Sciences, University College London)

JOB DESCRIPTION

(1) Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow as Project Coordinator (PhD)
  • Overall coordinator for different work packages.
  • Contribute to the focus on urban biodiversity, ecology and public health and generation of urban pattern datasets.
  • Assist the PIs in project administration, including progress reporting, organization of meetings and tracking of project budget.
  • Assist in setting up of central data repository and publicly released information via the project website.
(2) Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PhD) (Singapore)
  • Contribute to urban climate and microclimate analysis by combining process-based and data driven approaches across a large number of cities.
  • Contribute to the study pluvial flood risk, investigating the links between urban patterns, infrastructure, rainfall extremes, and floods across a large number of cities.
  • Work closely with other team members for integration of data with other work packages.
  • Assist the Project Coordinator for project administration.
(3) Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PhD) (Zurich)
  • Contribute to linking urban patterns with ecohydrological processes and functions, with a special focus on flows of energy, and materials, so as to study microclimatic, pollution, and health issues.
  • Work closely with other team members for integration of data with other work packages.
  • Assist the Project Coordinator for project administration.
(4) Research Associate (MSc)
  • Contribute to the focus on socio-economic interactions.
  • Contribute to the focus on city patterns.
  • Work closely with other team members for integration of data with other work packages.
  • Assist the Project Coordinator for project administration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should have the following qualities:

  • High writing and speaking proficiency in English.
  • Track record in research and scientific publications (commensurate with the position applied for).
  • A strong team player who can multi-task and work effectively as part of a team.

Specific qualifications for the positions are:

(1) Postdoctoral Research Fellow as Project Coordinator (PhD)
  • PhD in relevant disciplines, such as urban ecology, urban climatology, urban system science, data science, etc.
  • Research track record in spatial analysis and application of big data to understand urban phenomenon in ecological, or biophysical, or social dimensions.
  • A track record in interdisciplinary research. Experience in managing research projects independently will be an advantage.
  • A track record in publications.
(2) Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PhD) (Singapore)
  • PhD in relevant disciplines, such as, urban climatology, urban system science, urban hydrology.
  • Knowledge of mesoscale meteorological models, CFD techniques or other process-based models applied in the urban context is requested.
  • A track record of interdisciplinary research will be evaluated positively.
  • A track record in publications commensurate with distance from PhD. Recently graduated PhD are welcome to apply.
(3) Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PhD) (Zurich)
  • PhD in relevant disciplines, such as, urban climatology, urban system science, or data science, etc.
  • A record of urban system thinking will be advantageous.
  • Knowledge of data mining and machine learning techniques.
  • Optionally, knowledge of urban climate or urban hydrological models.
  • A track record in publications commensurate with distance from PhD. Recently graduated PhD are welcome to apply.
(4) Research Assistant (Msc)
  • Msc in relevant disciplines, such as urban ecology, urban climatology, urban system science, etc.
  • Candidate with research experience is preferred

REGISTRATION OF INTEREST

If you are interested to apply, please contact:

  • Prof. Dr. Tan Puay Yok (akitpy@nus.edu.sg)
  • or Prof. Paulo Burlando (paolo.burlando@ifu.baug.ethz.ch)
  • or A/P Simone Fatichi (ceesimo@nus.edu.sg)

 

Update: 10 Apr 2024

Past Hirings

  • Urban Ecosystem Services in Residential Neighbourhoods – Two Research Assistant Positions (closed)

Project Statement:

Research on the benefits associated with nature, or “ecosystem services”, has been progressing alongside rising interest in urban design that is both functional and “ecologically sensitive”. This project will develop monitoring protocols for environmental quality that can be upscaled to Singapore’s public housing estates and beyond. It will involve the use of remotely-sensed data, as well as the deployment of networked ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) sensors. The project will focus on five areas of particular relevance to landscape design/monitoring at the neighbourhood scale: 1. Heat mitigation and thermal comfort; 2. Noise abatement; 3. Habitat provision for flora and fauna; 4. Soil and water quality; 5. Opportunities for recreation and visual relief.

Available Positions:

We are seeking suitable candidates to apply for two Research Assistant positions. The successful applicant will be part of an interdisciplinary project “Assessment of Urban Ecosystem Services in Residential Neighbourhoods in Singapore”. The period of appointment is from 1 Aug 2021 to 31 Dec 2023, or for a period of 30 months. Please see the detailed requirements on the positions here: https://www.sde.nus.edu.sg/arch/careers/research-assistants-for-urban-ecosystem-services-project/

Job Application:

Interested applicants may email the documents below to Professor, Dr Tan Puay Yok: akitpy@nus.edu.sg

1. Cover letter 2. Curriculum Vitae 3. Two letters of recommendation

Contact

Prospective graduate students who like to enquire about research opportunities, please contact Professor, Dr Tan Puay Yok: puay.yok.tan@nus.edu.sg

Webmaster: Zhang Xudong (Harry): xudong.zhang@u.nus.edu

Location:

Department of Architecture
College of Design and Engineering
National University of Singapore
4 Architecture Drive
Singapore 117566

 

Updated on 12 Feb 2022