The SDWA Peatlands Programme in Singapore is looking for 2 Postdoctoral Research Fellows and 3 PhD candidates

SE Asia has 27 million hectares (10% of its land area) of tropical lowland peatland originally covered with rainforest, the greatest extent in the World. Recent and rapid degradation of most of these peatlands through drainage, deforestation and burning is not only a major contributor to fire and haze problems that affect the region, but also to loss of agricultural productivity, natural forest and soil carbon. The latest aspects cause the greatest soil carbon emission and some of the greatest biodiversity loss globally, which is attracting worldwide attention to conservation of these peatlands.

The SDWA Peatlands Programme aims to contribute to the knowledge base for peatland conservation efforts, with a focus on water management in relation to hydrology, ecology and soil science. Specific items are development of study sites, training programmes and spatial planning tools.

Postdoc 1: Geographer / Soil Scientist, focus areas:

• Soil and carbon emission studies
• Peatland hydrology studies

Postdoc 2: Ecologist, focus areas:

• Ecology and biodiversity studies
• Land cover change monitoring and analysis

PhD candidate 1: Hydrologist, focus area:

• Peatland hydrology studies

PhD candidate 2: Geographer / Soil Scientist, focus area:

• Soil and carbon emission studies

PhD candidate 3: Ecologist, focus area:

• Ecology and biodiversity studies

The Peatland Programme is highly multidisciplinary in nature, and applicants will be expected to work closely together on different topics. Because of the overlap between topic areas, we are open to candidates that would bring combinations of qualifications other than specified in the specific position descriptions. We specifically invite applicants with a record in tropical wetland or forest research.

SDWA is a collaboration between the National University of Singapore (NUS), Deltares | Delft Hydraulics (the Netherlands), and PUB. The home base of SDWA activities is in Singapore; activities in the Peatland Programme will require frequent fieldwork at study sites in Indonesia.

The programme will last at least 4 years. Positions are available from now onwards. International applicants are welcome. Remuneration will be in accordance with the NUS standards, dependent on applicant qualifications and experience.

For further information, see: http://www.sdwa.nus.edu.sg/joinus_PEAT_pdrf.html