Research Fellow (Coral Reef Geomorphology)

The Earth Observatory of Singapore at Nanyang Technological University invites applications for a Research Fellow to develop a new understanding of coral reef geomorphology and paleoenvironments in Southeast Asia. The past development of coral reefs within the Coral Triangle are poorly understood. Human activities have also altered coral populations and their environments from those that originally formed reefs. A lack of data on reef geomorphology from the region makes it makes it challenging to predict how reef systems will respond to climate change.

The Research Fellow will provide insights into the past reef growth histories and coral paleoecology in Southeast Asia to understand drivers of reef accumulation. The Research Fellow will lead the collection of fossil coral reef samples and reef/coral cores for sediment, paleoecology and geochemistry analysis to quantify environmental conditions and reef community change throughout the Holocene. The Research Fellow may also assist other related projects, including undertaking SCUBA fieldwork (PADI Rescue Diver qualification desirable). The successful candidate will be able to conduct independent overseas field research and have a track record of first-author publications relative to career stage. The Research Fellow will also have previous experience conducting a variety of laboratory tasks relating to geochronology, sedimentology and/or marine geochemistry, ideally for coral reefs.

The position will involve several periods of overseas fieldwork. The successful applicant will assist in coordinating overseas research and engage with a network of international collaborators. Opportunity will also be given to the successful candidate to develop their own research project, if desired. The position is under the supervision of Assistant Professor Kyle Morgan and will be for an initial two-year period with the potential for renewal depending on performance.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct world-class research on coral geomorphology, paleoecology and paleoenvironments

• Lead the collection of modern and fossil coral reefs (e.g. reef and coral coring) in Southeast Asia

• Manage overseas fieldwork logistics and international collaborations

• Undertake labwork relating to geomorphology, geochronology and paleoecology (e.g. coral identification, sedimentology, geochemistry)

• Be familiar with dating techniques (e.g. U/Th, 14C)

• Undertake data analysis and prepare manuscripts for journal publication

• Contribute to writing applications for external grant funding

• Perform other relevant research tasks assigned by the Principal Investigator

Job Requirements

• PhD in Marine Science, Geography, Geoscience, or related field

• Proven experience collecting reef and coral cores and/or sampling fossil coral reefs

• Experience conducting tropical marine fieldwork, including using SCUBA (PADI Rescue Diver qualification desirable)

• Prior labwork experience (e.g., sediment analysis, microscopy, geochronology)

• Advanced understanding of coral reef geomorphology

• Interest and willingness to learn new skills and software for analytical analysis

• Ability to travel overseas, sometimes to remote locations

• Knowledge of Southeast Asia coral reefs (advantageous)

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

Hiring Institution: NTU

In line with Singapore’s nationwide Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS), employees must be fully vaccinated to return to the workplace, unless certified to be medically ineligible. For Information on VDS, please click here .

The Earth Observatory of Singapore at Nanyang Technological University invites applications for a Research Fellow to develop a new understanding of coral reef geomorphology and paleoenvironments in Southeast Asia. The past development of coral reefs within the Coral Triangle are poorly understood. Human activities have also altered coral populations and their environments from those that originally formed reefs. A lack of data on reef geomorphology from the region makes it makes it challenging to predict how reef systems will respond to climate change.

The Research Fellow will provide insights into the past reef growth histories and coral paleoecology in Southeast Asia to understand drivers of reef accumulation. The Research Fellow will lead the collection of fossil coral reef samples and reef/coral cores for sediment, paleoecology and geochemistry analysis to quantify environmental conditions and reef community change throughout the Holocene. The Research Fellow may also assist other related projects, including undertaking SCUBA fieldwork (PADI Rescue Diver qualification desirable). The successful candidate will be able to conduct independent overseas field research and have a track record of first-author publications relative to career stage. The Research Fellow will also have previous experience conducting a variety of laboratory tasks relating to geochronology, sedimentology and/or marine geochemistry, ideally for coral reefs.

The position will involve several periods of overseas fieldwork. The successful applicant will assist in coordinating overseas research and engage with a network of international collaborators. Opportunity will also be given to the successful candidate to develop their own research project, if desired. The position is under the supervision of Assistant Professor Kyle Morgan and will be for an initial two-year period with the potential for renewal depending on performance.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct world-class research on coral geomorphology, paleoecology and paleoenvironments

• Lead the collection of modern and fossil coral reefs (e.g. reef and coral coring) in Southeast Asia

• Manage overseas fieldwork logistics and international collaborations

• Undertake labwork relating to geomorphology, geochronology and paleoecology (e.g. coral identification, sedimentology, geochemistry)

• Be familiar with dating techniques (e.g. U/Th, 14C)

• Undertake data analysis and prepare manuscripts for journal publication

• Contribute to writing applications for external grant funding

• Perform other relevant research tasks assigned by the Principal Investigator

Job Requirements

• PhD in Marine Science, Geography, Geoscience, or related field

• Proven experience collecting reef and coral cores and/or sampling fossil coral reefs

• Experience conducting tropical marine fieldwork, including using SCUBA (PADI Rescue Diver qualification desirable)

• Prior labwork experience (e.g., sediment analysis, microscopy, geochronology)

• Advanced understanding of coral reef geomorphology

• Interest and willingness to learn new skills and software for analytical analysis

• Ability to travel overseas, sometimes to remote locations

• Knowledge of Southeast Asia coral reefs (advantageous)

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

Hiring Institution: NTU

In line with Singapore’s nationwide Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS), employees must be fully vaccinated to return to the workplace, unless certified to be medically ineligible. For Information on VDS, please click here .