Research Associate/Fellow (Computational Ecology, Soil Carbon & AI Models)

About the role

The Asian School of the Environment (ASE) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is recruiting three Research Fellows and one Research Associate to join a team led by Nanyang Assistant Professor Feng Tao in computational ecology. The work focuses on developing a process-guided, AI-assisted soil community foundation model for natural climate solutions, starting as early as 1 August 2026. Candidates with prior experience in process-based modelling, data analytics or deep learning are preferred.

Key responsibilities

• Lead at least one of the following: soil organic carbon model development (microbial processes and stoichiometry dynamics), enhanced rock weathering model (hydrological coupling and organo-mineral interactions), crop model (pore-to-rhizosphere nutrient uptake and yield dynamics).
• 14C modelling of soil organic and inorganic carbon.
• Collection, integration and synthesis of global soil meta-databases.
• New module integration into Earth system models, scenario simulations and prognostic analyses.
• Development and optimisation of physics-informed deep learning, hybrid modelling and reasoning AI algorithms.

Required profile

• Master's degree (Research Associate) or PhD (Research Fellow) in ecology, biogeochemistry, Earth/soil science, environmental science, hydrology, computer science or a related field.
• Familiarity with soil carbon and element cycles.
• Prior experience in process-based modelling, Earth system model simulation, data assimilation, large-scale data collection and synthesis, high-performance computing or deep learning.
• Strong academic writing and communication skills.
• Prior research projects and publications in peer-reviewed journals or conference presentations are preferred.

Applications require a one-page cover letter, a CV with a reference and a representative publication if applicable. Applications are reviewed from 15 June 2026 until the positions are filled; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.