Available Projects & Funding

Project Description:

As part of CHARM study, we will develop learning pedagogy for middle aged adults based on the principles of neuropsychological pedagogy and life-style interventions. 

Two learning packages will be designed with each package comprising a pre-course, course, and post-course components. The course components will include lectures, group-activities, and homework. The content will be developed by our team, in close collaboration with adult learners, through interviews and focus group sessions comprising learners of various age groups and occupational-types. 

The project consists of lead principal investigator Associate Professor Nagaendran Kandiah and co-investigators Dr Astrid Schmied, Associate Professor Teo Wei Peng, Assistant Professor Alicia Goodwill, and Assistant Professor Shannon Ang. 

The selected candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Astrid Schmied and Associate Professor Teo Wei Peng.

Faculty:

Eligibility:

  • Recruiting Master's by Research students only.
  • Local and international students with background in Psychology, Education, and Neuroscience are welcome to apply.

Funding Information:

  • Full Master's by Research Scholarship available (up to 3 years)

For programme-related information, please click here.

To Apply:

Please write to the Faculty(s)-in-Charge with your CV and cover letter.

Project Description:

About the Project

The Tropical Rivers Group at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), invites applications from exceptionally motivated and passionate individuals for a PhD opportunity to advance research on sand mining, one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The project offers an exciting opportunity to explore the drivers, extent, and sustainable management of sand mining activities, with a primary focus on Southeast Asia and the Mekong Delta, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Edward Park. Our team is at the forefront of this field, integrating cutting-edge methodologies from both physical and human geography perspectives to address critical scientific and societal challenges.

Research Scope and Objectives

The research project encompasses multiple themes and methodologies, allowing candidates to tailor their work based on their background and interests. Some potential research topics include:

Physical Geography Focus:

  • Investigating the physical processes underpinning riverbank collapse and salinity intrusion caused by sand mining activities.
  • Employing hydrodynamic modeling tools, such as Deft3D, to understand sediment dynamics, riverbed incision, and hydrological changes in impacted regions.
  • Exploring the interplay between sand mining and climatic factors to quantify long-term geomorphological and hydrological consequences.

Human Geography Focus:

  • Quantifying sand trade dynamics in Southeast Asia and mapping trade networks.
  • Investigating the socioeconomic drivers of sand mining, including urbanization, infrastructure development, and global trade demands.
  • Analyzing policy and governance frameworks to propose sustainable management strategies for balancing developmental and environmental priorities.
The PhD candidate will work within an interdisciplinary team of researchers, including other PhD students and research staff, focusing on sand mining across the Mekong Delta and Southeast Asia. Our lab leads internationally recognized projects in this field, providing candidates with unparalleled resources, datasets, and collaboration opportunities.
Faculty:

Funding Information:

Funding is tenable for one (1) academic year 
Eligibility:
  • Master’s by Research & PhD Students
  • Local and international students
To Apply:
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Associate Professor Edward Park to discuss their qualifications, research interests, and the suitability of the project. Early consultation is strongly recommended, ideally at least three months before the intake application deadline. 
Project Description:
We are seeking a highly motivated graduate student to explore the intersection of physical activity, fitness, and nutrition in relation to cognitive development in preschool-aged children. This research is linked to the LOVING (Learning about Our Behaviour is Valuable for Increasing Nurturing Relationships and Healthy Growth) intervention study and offers multiple potential research directions based on the candidate’s expertise and interests.

Potential research topics include:
• Examining the relationship between young children’s physical fitness and genetics
• Investigating electrophysiological markers of cognitive function in relation to fitness and dietary factors.
• Exploring metabolic biomarkers (e.g., cortisol, insulin) to understand how physiological mechanisms link fitness and cognition.

For example, the thesis could focus on how different components of fitness and dietary factors interact to shape cognition, with opportunities to integrate neurophysiological and metabolic assessments.

Despite growing recognition of early childhood as a critical window for brain development, there remains a gap in understanding the interplay between physical health, nutrition, and cognitive outcomes in this population. Addressing this gap can inform interventions that promote long-term cognitive and physical well-being.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary environment, gain experience in early childhood cognitive neuroscience research, and contribute to evidence that can shape policies and programmes aimed at optimising child brain development.
Faculty:
Funding Information:

  • Partial scholarship support is available for this project. Tuition and Monthly Stipend.

  • The candidate will also have the opportunity to apply for a full NTU scholarship (Tuition and Monthly Stipend). For more information, click here. 

Eligibility:
  • Master’s by Research & PhD Students
  • Local and international students
To Apply:

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Assistant Professor Alicia Marie Goodwill to discuss their qualifications, research interests, and the suitability of the project. Please include faculty CV (including GPA and any conference presentations, publications).

Early consultation is strongly recommended, ideally at least three months before the intake application deadline. 

Applicants must meet NIE's entry requirement for Master's by Research and/or PhD programmes.

Please click  here for more information.