Researcher/Senior Researcher (Dashboard) (Geospatial Modelling Lab) - Contract

National Parks Board; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency for urban ecology is seeking a Geospatial Modelling Team Lead to architect and develop map applications that empower policymakers with evidence-based decision-making tools. The role involves developing user-friendly dashboards and integrating geospatial analyses into workflow processes. Candidates should hold a postgraduate degree and have a proven track record in full-stack development and geospatial modelling. This is a unique opportunity to shape Singapore’s urban environment through innovative, data-driven insights.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in software engineering, data science, or urban spatial analytics required.
• Experience in developing interactive dashboards and geospatial data visualization tools.
• Strong geospatial modelling and data analytics skills, especially with large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Develop interactive geospatial dashboards and visualization tools.
• Create user-friendly analytical interfaces for policy workflows.
• Collaborate with policymakers to refine dashboards for maximum impact.

Skills

Full stack development

Geospatial modelling

Data analysis

User interface design

Python

R

JavaScript

Education

Postgraduate degree in software engineering, data science, or related fields

Tools

Mapbox

PostgreSQL

Leaflet

Shiny

Dash

Job description

Join the Centre for Science of Urban Nature (CSUN) at the National Parks Board NParks) and see your research directly shape Singapore's urban environment. We're stablishing a geospatial modelling team where your work won't just advance academic knowledge but also empower policymakers to make evidence-based decisions about Singapore's natural capital. CSUN conducts application-focused research across urban greenery and ecology, from arboriculture to human-nature relationships. Our mission is to translate cutting-edge science into practical solutions that enhance Singapore's tropical urban living environment.

What you will be working on

As part of our Geospatial Modelling team, you'll lead efforts to develop map applications to visualize and translate models developed by researchers into decision making tools for our users:

Architect and develop map applications for decision making: Develop and architectinfrastructure to build interactive geospatial dashboards and visualisation tools that enable policymakers to explore ecosystem services models (e.g. thermal cooling, stormwater management, recreational benefits) and accessibility metrics for evidence-based land use planning

Applications with user-friendly interfaces: Create user-friendly analytical interfaces that integrate spatial ecology models and ecosystem services assessments into NParks' policy workflows, making complex data accessible to non-technical stakeholders

Translating analytics into visual insights: Transform large-scale geospatial datasets and modelling outputs into clear, actionable visualisations that support real-time policy decisions and operational planning

Collaborating with end-users: Work closely with policymakers, planners, and cross-functional teams to understand their decision-making needs and iteratively refine dashboards for maximum policy impact

Building technical infrastructure: Work closely with the IT infrastructure team to put together the necessary software, frameworks and architecture to enable continuous development and deployment of research models for visualization on the application.

What we are looking for

• Postgraduate degree in software engineering, data science, computer science, urban spatial analytics or related fields. Candidates with demonstrated appreciation for environmental science, biology, spatial ecology models will also be considered.
• Experienced full stack map application developer, with demonstrated experience in architecting and developing interactive dashboards and geospatial data visualisation tools (e.g., using Mapbox, Leaflet, Shiny, Dash, or similar platforms), with fully functional models in the backend hosted on databases like PostgreSQL.
• Demonstrated experience for map applications within the government cloud infrastructure, and translating models developed by researchers into applications.
• Strong understanding of frontend/backend frameworks, libraries, infrastructure, and APIs needed to integrate frontend and backend.
• Self-starter and comfortable navigating unstructured environments, with willingness to innovate with constraints of legacy infrastructure.
• Strong geospatial modelling and data analytics skills, including experience working with large urban datasets
• Proficiency in R, Python, Javascript, HTML, CSS, or similar coding languages for data analysis and visualisation
• Expected to have to architect an entire map application infrastructure together with the IT department

Preferably, candidates should possess:

• Track record in building geospatial applications or web-based analytical tools for policy or operational decision-making, preferably in the government cloud environment.
• Good understanding of the considerations in translating research models, such as ecosystem services models, ecological models, carbon sequestration models into applications with good user interfaces.
• Experience with front-end, and back-end frameworks, APIs, database optimization.
• User experience (UX) design skills and experience conducting stakeholder consultations to inform dashboard development
• Experience with advanced analytical techniques (spatial statistics, machine learning, network analysis) applied to urban systems
• Demonstrated success working with diverse stakeholders (government agencies, vendors, academia)

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Successful candidates will be offered employment contract till 31 Dec 2028