Research Associate (Ecology/Biogeochemistry/Earth Science/Soil Science/Environmental Science/Hydrology/Computer Science)

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY; Singapore; On-site; SGD 61,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Nanyang Technological University in Singapore invites applications for a Research Associate to join the Asian School of the Environment. The role focuses on developing process-guided, AI-assisted soil and earth system models for natural climate solutions, with emphasis on soil carbon, rock weathering, and crop dynamics.

Candidates should hold a master's in ecology or related field, experience in process-based modeling, data analytics, or deep learning, and have strong scientific writing skills.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in ecology or related field required.
• Experience in process-based modeling, Earth system simulation, data assimilation, or deep learning.
• Strong academic writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Soil organic carbon model development and optimization.
• Rock weathering model development with hydrological coupling.
• Crop model development focusing on nutrient uptake and yield dynamics.
• 14C modeling for soil carbon.
• Global soil metadata collection and integration.
• Earth system model module integration and scenario analyses.
• Develop physics-informed deep learning and hybrid modeling algorithms.

Skills

Process-based modeling

Earth system modeling

Data analytics

Deep learning

Scientific writing

Education

Master's degree in ecology/biogeochemistry/earth/soil science/environmental science

Tools

High performance computing

Job description

The Asian School of the Environment (ASE) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is an interdisciplinary school that will be a world leader in environmental research focused on Asian environmental challenges. The ASE integrates Earth and environmental sciences to build an understanding of our planet and environment and to address key issues of environmental sustainability and its impact on society.

For more details, please view https://www.ntu.edu.sg/ase.

We are seeking a Research Associate to join the research team led by Nanyang Assistant Professor Feng Tao in computational ecology. The role will focus on developing a process-guided and AI-assisted soil community foundation model for natural climate solutions. Candidates with prior experience in process-based modeling/data analytics/deep learning are preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

• Soil organic carbon model development and optimization, focusing on microbial processes and stoichiometry dynamics
• Enhanced rock weathering model development and optimization, focusing on hydrological coupling and organo-mineral interactions
• Crop model development and optimization, focusing on pore-to-rhizosphere scale nutrient uptake and yield dynamics
• 14C modeling for soil organic and inorganic carbon
• Global soil meta-databases collection, integration, and synthesis
• Earth system model new module integration, scenario simulations, and prognostics analyses
• Physics-informed deep learning/hybrid modeling/reasoning AI algorithm development and optimization

Job Requirements:

• Master's degree in ecology, biogeochemistry, Earth/soil science, environmental science, hydrology, computer science, or related field
• Familiarity with soil carbon/element cycles
• Prior experience in at least one of the following fields: process-based model development, Earth system model simulation and analyses, data assimilation, large-scale data collection and synthesis, high performance computing, and deep learning
• Strong academic writing and communication skills
• Prior involvement in research projects, evidence of publishing in peer-reviewed journals or presenting at conferences are preferred.

ASE seeks a diverse and inclusive workforce and is committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all and recruit on the basis of merit, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, marital status, family responsibilities, or disability.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.