Research Assistant in Networks and Green Infrastructures

Job offer posted on 13 February 2023.

CNRS@CREATE invites applications for a full-time Research Assistant (RA). We are looking for a qualitative researcher to assist a project team working on the project abbreviated as “SPACE” – Shaping Public Adaptive Capacity for Environmental infectious diseases. Specifically, the successful applicant will be working with a project team exploring the role of networks and green infrastructures in mitigating against the spread of dengue in Singapore. They will start in April 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter, and the position will be tenable for 6 months.

SPACE PROJECT

The Shaping Public Adaptive Capacity For Environmental Diseases (SPACE) project aims to establish an innovative research protocol for disease mitigation in Singapore, focusing on dengue and COVID-19, with the goal of improving urban health and sustainability.

Current knowledge on the risk factors contributing to the emergence and transmission of infectious diseases in cities is mainly based on environmental big data and population statistics, with little attention to the physical design of the urban environment and the entrenchment of society-disease relationships in the city.

However, in order to provide sustainable responses to health challenges, it is essential to deepen knowledge about the perception, behaviours, and practices of local actors and communities regarding health risks. This will allow us to assess the “adaptive capacity” of the population, i.e. the social and technical skills mobilized by individuals and community groups in response to the spread of diseases in different living environments.

To achieve this objective, the proposed approach is to build a computer simulation model that will explicitly incorporate this knowledge.

The research will take place mainly in Singapore, at the premises of CNRS@CREATE.

Read more about the SPACE project here

DESCRIPTION

The RA will work closely with the project team to execute the qualitative aspect of the project. The job scope involves: 

  • (Snowball) sampling amongst residents of at-risk areas, and public and private sector stakeholders
  • Organising and conducting focus groups and ethnographic interviews with residents, and expert interviews with stakeholders
  • Transcribing interview data in English
  • Assisting the project team with the administrative management of the project
  • Any other ad hoc tasks related to the project 

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant will:

  • Have experience conducting qualitative research in Singapore
  • Be organised, detail-oriented and motivated to learn
  • Have an interest in issues related to public health, infectious diseases, and public infrastructures
  • Have language skills in Mandarin (and/or the Chinese dialects spoken in Singapore)
  • At least an undergraduate degree by the date of appointment

FURTHER INFORMATION & CONTACT

Salary range: 4000 to 7000 SGD  (depending on suitability and experience)

Duration: 6 months.

Workplace Address: CREATE Tower (NUS Campus), 1 Create Way #08-01 Singapore 138602

Please send a short cover letter describing your suitability for the position, detailed CV with publication list, a concise description of research interests and future plans, and academic transcripts to:

Orlando Woods

orlandowoods@smu.edu.sg

We will begin reviewing applications for the positions immediately.

View this job offer on My Careers Future website here.