The Institute of Catastrophe Risk Management (ICRM), Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, is pleased to invite applications from suitably-qualified candidates to apply for the PhD Research Scholarships on catastrophe risk management in the three main thrusts of seismic risk modelling and management, flood risk modelling and management as well as alternate risk transfer and financial engineering. There are up to ten positions available for these scholarships for August 2011, January 2010 and 2012 intakes, with 3 to 4 successful applicants in each batch. The information regarding the three research thrusts is given below.
Research Goals
The ICRM undertakes research projects and integrate efforts in science, engineering, finance, technology, socio-economic aspects related catastrophe risk. The goal of ICRM’s path-breaking research is to help the community better understand the fundamental characteristics of risks related to natural disasters or threats. ICRM has in place a long-term research plan that covers topics most relevant to the Asian region. The plan covers three main thrusts in risk modelling and management, namely :
- Flood risk modelling and management
- Earthquake risk assessment and management
- Financial engineering and insurance related risk management
Through this research, ICRM aims to develop Asian catastrophe risk models and build up industry benchmarks and indices to reflect uniquely Asian catastrophe risks. These leading research outputs will be shared with the industry in a series of workshops on the three main thrusts that ICRM researchers and faculty will conduct over the next few years.
1. Flood related risk modelling and management
The objective of the project is to develop state-of-the-art concepts and practices in managing floods, with a focus on the development of innovative methodologies in flood-related risk modelling and management such as hydrological modelling, flood inundation modelling, flood risk mapping, damage evaluation and mitigation management. The project also aims to investigate the effects of climate change on flood magnitude and frequency, and evaluate the possibilities of reducing economic, financial and social losses by adopting scientific decision-support tools. The research outputs are also expected to help better understand the role of uncertainty in evaluating flood risks as well as the sources of risk and their quantification, and improve flood forecasting and warning, long-term mitigation planning, and emergency management response in south-east Asia.
Requirements:
- A recognized BS/BENG/MSc/MENG degree in civil / environmental engineering or other related fields
- Interested candidates should preferably have strong interest in flood modelling, climate change impact study, and flood risk management
- Some background knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, and/or GIS interface would be an advantage
- Good planning and management skills
- A motivated individual with good communication skills
- Have interest in conducting research and development projects
2. Earthquake related risk assessment management
The objective of this project is to develop effective and efficient methodologies and tools for seismic hazard, vulnerability, risk and loss modeling, assessment and management with a particular focus on the Asian region. The project also aims to investigate short-term measures and long-term solutions for mitigating human, financial, economic and social losses. The research outcomes of this project are expected to improve and have impacts on seismic hazard and risk prediction, monitoring and warning, and mitigation strategy planning and emergency management for Asian countries. Some background knowledge of geophysics, seismology, structural dynamics, earthquake engineering and probability or statistics or GIS would be desirable.
Requirements:
- A recognized BS/BENG/MSc/MENG/MPHIL degree in civil/structural engineering or other related fields
- Background knowledge of geophysics, seismology, structural dynamics, earthquake engineering and probability or statistics or GIS would be desirable
- Good planning and management skills
- A motivated individual with good communication and programming skills
- Have strong interest in conducting research and development projects
3. Financial engineering and insurance related risk management
The objectives of this project are to identify the financial engineering methodologies and analytics that are suitable for modelling alternate risk transfer mechanisms such as catastrophe bonds and other financial and insurance instruments. It also aims to develop the framework on catastrophe insurance as well as the application of catastrophe micro-insurance for selected developing areas of Indonesia such as Padang. It will investigate how sustainable and long term risk reduction solutions and innovative products in finance and insurance could be developed to assist in transferring and spreading the risks for the benefit of Asian countries, with initial case study on Indonesia.
Requirements:
- A recognized BS/BENG/MSc/MENG degree in engineering. Candidates with education in economics, actuarial science, social science and finance are preferred
- Candidates should preferably have strong interest in financial engineering and socio-economic study of catastrophe risks
- Have knowledge and working experience on finance, actuarial science, risk assessment and modeling would be an advantage
- Good planning and management skills
- A motivated individual with good communication skills
- Have interest in conducting research and development projects
Contact persons:
Please send a PDF file containing above project reference, a letter of application and CV by 30 June 2011, via email to :
- Asst Prof Qin Xiaosheng, xsqin@ntu.edu.sg on Flood risk modelling and management
- Asst Prof Joseph Cheung, shcheung@ntu.edu.sg on Earthquake risk assessment and management
- Assoc Prof Robert Tiong, clktiong@ntu.edu.sg on Financial engineering and insurance related risk management
For application and additional information on eligibility criteria, coverage, bond of the scholarship, please visit the link: http://admissions.ntu.edu.sg/graduate/scholarships/Pages/ResearchScholarship.aspx
Deadline for international applicants: 30 June 2011.
For more information, please visit official website: admissions.ntu.edu.sg.
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Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.