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Recruitment of Seed Germination and development Research Technician
Supervised by: Demis Galli
Duration: March 1st 2026 30th June 2026
Budget: 120,000 THB (total amount for 4 months period)
- Background of consultancy assignment
Despite increased investment in reforestation and tree-planting programs across Thailand, many restoration efforts have not achieved full ecological recovery. Plantations often rely on fast-growing, commercially valuable, or exotic tree species, which may survive well but fail to restore the natural forest structure, biodiversity, and ecological processes required for long-term sustainability. As a result, many sites remain ecologically simplified, prone to fire, and unable to support native wildlife or self-regeneration.
In southern Thailand, restoration practitioners face additional challenges linked to the region's diverse topography, variable rainfall, and mixed deciduousevergreen forest systems. There is currently limited knowledge on how native species respond to different elevations, soil types, and microclimates, as well as which species combinations can most effectively accelerate natural succession. Without systematic data, species selection is often based on availability rather than ecological suitability, leading to inconsistent survival and growth outcomes.
Moreover, the framework species approach, although successfully developed and applied in northern Thailand by the Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU-CMU), has not yet been comprehensively tested or adapted for the southern region. Species that perform well in northern conditions may not thrive in the wetter and more coastal or montane environments of the south. Local seed sources and propagation methods for native species are also limited, constraining restoration capacity.
- Objective of the consultancy
- Conduct structured germination experiments (20+ priority species per year)
- Identify optimal germination treatments (e.g., scarification, pre-soaking, temperature, media)
- Track survival and growth performance in nursery stage
- Build a database of seed biology: viability, dormancy type, timing, success rates
- Enhance operational capacity of restoration nurseries
- Scope of work/ Major responsibility
The Research Technician Will
3.1 Seed Collection & Processing
- Support collection planning and field sampling where needed
- Clean, sort, store, and test viability
3.2 Experimental Design & Implementation
- Prepare media and controlled germination trials
- Apply pre-treatments based on species ecology
- Set up monitoring in shade houses or climate-controlled facilities
3.3 Monitoring & Data Management
- Daily/weekly recording of:
- Germination % and speed
- Environmental conditions
- Nursery survival indicators
- Maintain seedlings until transplanting
3.4 Reporting & Knowledge Sharing
- Produce monthly progress summaries
- Update a digital database of all species tested
- Share learnings as Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for nursery teams (bi-annually)
- Outputs/deliverables No Activity Expected output Timeframe 1 Collect selected seeds species and wildlings (about 10,000 wildlings and 10,000 seeds) Collect all the required number of seeds and wildlings 1 Mar-31stMar 2 Testing germination according to different trials and prepare controls Germination and mortality data 1st Apr-30th Apr 3 Survival and growth data Collect growth data, mortality, and other pertinent information 1st May-31st May 4 Survival and growth data, finalize and summarize in a report Prepare final data summary and recommendations report. 1st Jun-20th Jun
- Reporting and Supervision
- The contractor will report daily directly to Mr. Tanasin Yimnoi whom will then communicate toDemis Galli. Regular progress reports shall be submitted monthly (or as agreed) to track implementation.
- Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Botany, Horticulture, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in nursery/plant science research desirable
- Skills in plant propagation and data recording
- Ability to manage greenhouse or shade house environments
- Physical ability to handle field/nursery work
- Payment schedule
Monthly payments of 30,000 baht will be made after delivering monthly report and after receiving invoice.
- Submission of Proposals Interested applicants are requested to submit their proposals By 15 February 2026 at 12:00 PM (Thailand time) Please send proposals to: [Confidential Information] (CC: [HIDDEN TEXT]) Tel. +66 2 618 4304
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