Last week was a busy week, and so are the weeks to come.
I found this job post in my mailbox about two weeks ago, a student assistant in sorting and identifying macroinvertebrates in Singapore's freshwaters, mainly in the reservoirs. After further enquiry, I found out that this project is actually a 5-year collaboration with PUB and NUS which aims to conduct a biomonitoring survey possibly in all existing reservoirs.
As a student interested in biodiversity and biomonitoring, I sent in my application, which includes an application letter and resume. Due to technical issues, I am unable to post my resume, so only the application letter is shown below:
LEE GANG
U086000Y
(65)83015833
fechard@gmail.com
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2 September 2010
Mr. Adam Quek Rop Fun
Research Assistant
Department of Biological Sciences
National University of Singapore
14 Science Drive 4
Singapore 117543
Dear Adam,
APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF STUDENT ASSISTANT
I am interested in the position of student assistant in the biomonitoring project which involves the sorting and identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Singapore’s freshwater. I saw this position available in an email sent out earlier on 27 August by the department and would like to apply for the position.
I am currently a year three life sciences undergraduate planning to specialize in Biology. I have a vast interest in Biology, especially on how human influence impacts the environment. I have a huge passion for research, which is probably nurtured since young by my father, who is a biologist himself. I was exposed to research during my high school period and even helped out in a small research on the regeneration of forest (by collecting leaf samples) by FRIM (Forest Research Institute of Malaysia).
In the first year of my undergraduate studies, I was admitted to the Special Programme in Science (SPS). I was able to conduct a research on the yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes), which is an invasive ant species found in many areas of Singapore, as part of a research module offer by SPS. Since then, my interest in the invasive biology field and how humans actually affect the environment by different means greatly increased. Currently, I am working on the invasive ant species in Singapore under the supervision of Prof. Richard Corlett as a level 3000 8 MC UROPS. The previous researches conducted exposed me to the rigorous identification process different species, and I hope that this experience will help me in familiarizing the techniques used in sorting and identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates.
This position is extremely attractive to me as it is a rare opportunity to allow the further investigation on the human-environment complex relationship, down to the detailed interspecific interactions. This is even more exciting as I am able to gain an insight in the relationship of the diversity of aquatic invertebrates with the condition of Singapore’s freshwater habitat. My previous research experiences will also be useful in aiding the project.
I would be extremely grateful if I am given the chance to participate in this interesting project. I can be contacted at 83015833 or fechard@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and looking forward to hear a favorable reply from you.
Yours sincerely,
LEE GANG
U086000Y
