The Wetland Carbon Lab at the Asian School of the Environment (ASE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship position to investigate carbon cycling in one of the most carbon-rich and least studied ecosystems on Earth: pristine tropical peatlands.

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This project will track how carbon and nutrients move from peat soils into blackwater rivers in Borneo, and ultimately to the atmosphere and coastal ocean. Combining intensive fieldwork with cutting-edge measurements, the PhD will link river biogeochemistry with data from a newly installed eddy covariance flux tower offering a rare, ecosystem scale perspective on land-water-atmosphere carbon exchange. This work is part of a global effort to identify ecosystems that remove carbon from the atmosphere and to quantify their contribution at regional and global scales.

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PhD Project Scope:

Design and lead field-based monitoring of aquatic biogeochemistry in pristine peat-draining river systems

Quantify carbon and nitrogen fluxes from peat to coast using field measurements, laboratory analyses, and modelling approaches

Analyse and interpret complex datasets using R or Python, including long-term time series

Contribute to high-impact scientific publications and present at international conferences

Engage in collaborative field campaigns and work within a multidisciplinary, international research team.

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Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Geography, or a related field
• Strong motivation for field-based research in remote tropical environments
• Experience (or strong interest in developing skills) in aquatic biogeochemistry and data analysis (R/Python)
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

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📍 Location: Singapore & fieldwork in Borneo

🏫 Institution: Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

🔬 Lab: Wetland Carbon Lab (ASE)

📅 Application deadline: 15 July 2026

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The successful candidate will join an international and dynamic research environment and contribute to advancing our understanding of the global carbon cycle in relation to climate change mitigation.

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Ready for the adventure?

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Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter to pierre.taillardat@ntu.edu.sg before 15 July 2026.

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Tip: take your time to prepare a strong cover letter and compelling CV instead of applying on the spot.