Research Fellow (Humanities/Geography/Geosciences)

Nanyang Technological University; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NTU Singapore invites applications for a Research Fellow to conduct critical spatial analysis on tin mining impacts on Bangka Island, integrating geoscience and humanities perspectives. The role involves remote sensing, GIS, and visualization, with opportunities to contribute to international conferences and high-impact publications.

The appointment supports a two-year project under the Mining Mineral Life initiative, engaging with interdisciplinary teams and fieldwork.

Qualifications

• PhD required or conferred by start date in any discipline (humanities/geography/geosciences preferred).
• Proficiency in GIS, remote sensing, and mapping/visualization software.
• Proven ability to design and deliver an original two-year research project.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a remote sensing, GIS, and mapping driven research project on tin mining impact on Bangka Island.
• Conduct interdisciplinary research bridging humanities and geosciences.
• Carry out primary field, archive and database research; visualize landscape change over time.
• Contribute to field-defining publications and public engagement.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Deadline management

Attention to detail

Education

PhD degree

Tools

GIS

Remote sensing

Graphic design software

Job description

Mining Mineral Life: Extracting the Energy Transition in Southeast Asia

Mining Mineral Life: Extracting the Energy Transition in Southeast Asia examines how mining for energy transition critical minerals is transforming landscapes and livelihoods in Southeast Asia. The project aims to break new empirical and conceptual ground in the understanding of extraction by integrating geoscience, artisanal knowledges, mineral cosmologies, and histories of critical minerals. At the centre of the project is an interrogation of the category of minerality, the distinction between the bio/geo, and new visions of ‘mineral life.’ Critical minerals underpin decarbonization technologies, from semiconductors to batteries and wind turbines. Southeast Asia, rich in these resources, including tin, nickel, rare earths, and silica, faces rising extraction pressures as global Net Zero targets accelerate demand. Yet the environmental, social, and cultural consequences of critical mineral mining are poorly understood. Key gaps remain in understanding how policy designations of mineral “criticality” affect local landscapes, livelihoods, and artisanal knowledge systems. What is the history and geopolitics of mineral “criticality” in Southeast Asia? How has critical mineral extraction driven the formation of state boundaries and geopolitics of the region? What new spaces and knowledges are emerging around the critical mineral trade? What opportunities are there for new geo-solidarities between miners, minerals, and the deep history of the earth itself?

We are seeking a Research Fellow (24 months) to conduct critical and creative spatial analysis of the historical and contemporary environmental impact of tin mining on Bangka Island, including estimations of volumes of mined material, tailings morphologies, sediment morphology and composition, anthropogenic landscape impacts, and global commodity chain morphology. Candidates will map and visualise landscape change on Bangka over time and will have a background in one or more of the following: geology, geography, architecture, or graphic design.

Submit by 04 December 2026, 6:00pm.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a creative and ambitious remote sensing, GIS, and mapping driven research project over two years on the impact of tin mining on Bangka Island.
• Conduct cutting edge advanced interdisciplinary research potentially bridging humanities and geosciences.
• Conduct in-depth primary research in the field, archive, public and private databases (or both).
• Visualise landscape change on Bangka Island and tin commodity chains over time.
• Participate in the intellectual development of the Mining Mineral Life research group, contributing to the organizing and roll‑out of an international conference, regular seminars, and public programming to increase the impact of the project.
• Contribute research and creativity to field defining publications in leading scholarly venues and high impact public engagement.

Job Requirements

• PhD degree in any discipline conferred by start date of the post, humanities and/or geography/geosciences preferred.
• Proficiency in GIS, remote sensing, and associated mapping/visualization/graphic design software.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualise and deliver an original substantive advanced research project in two years.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills including ability to work independently, develop solutions under strict timelines, meticulous and eye for details, excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with exhibitions, graphic design, advanced visual communications a plus.

Hiring Institution

NTU A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges. It also has a medical school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, established jointly with Imperial College London. NTU is also home to world‑class autonomous institutes – the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering – and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N). Ranked amongst the world’s top universities by QS, NTU has also been named the world’s top young university for the past seven years. The University’s main campus is frequently listed among the Top 15 most beautiful university campuses in the world and has 57 Green Mark‑certified (equivalent to LEED‑certified) buildings, of which 95% are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a campus in Novena, Singapore’s healthcare district. Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech‑enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources. For more information, visit www.ntu.edu.sg About NIE About RSIS About LKCMedicine About NTUItive