Opportunities for Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
We are excited to announce admissions to the 2024 Doctoral Program in wildlife ecology and
conservation at the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS). The degree will be granted by the
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). We are looking for highly motivated and
academically driven candidates, with a demonstrated interest in field-based research in wildlife
ecology and conservation in India and Asia.
Project Opportunities Available
1. Assessing hunting practices and its impacts on wildlife in the Western and Eastern
Ghats
Description: This project aims to study traditional community hunting practices in the
Western and Eastern Ghats and their impacts on wildlife, using a mix of
socio-ecological field surveys and community interviews. Hunting and illegal wildlife
trade are the largest threats to biodiversity. This project will study community practices
relating to hunting, quantify its impacts, particularly on species that are specifically
targeted, and assess linkages with wildlife trade. The study will require a use of both
quantitative and qualitative research methods. This research requires extensive field
work spanning several months, close interaction with communities, data entry and
analysis, and writing. The candidates should be motivated and passionate about
conservation, and should be familiar with both field ecological techniques for mammals,
such as camera trapping and sign surveys, as well as social science survey methods.
2. Projecting habitat impacts of current and adjusted infrastructure-investment plans
in India
Description: Infrastructure investments have immense impacts on wildlife species and
habitats. India is making significant investments in economic development. Yet the
potential exists to adjust which kinds of investments are done and where, such that for
the same infrastructure budget more economic development and better conservation
can be achieved. With a diverse team and drawing upon the past impacts of roads and
railways, we will collect significant data to permit the modeling of the likely habitat
impacts of current plans as well as impacts of varied feasible adjustments. This project is
in collaboration with Duke University, USA.
3. Examining bioacoustics as a tool to evaluate biodiversity
Description: Building on a strong foundation of research in the Western and Eastern
Ghats, this study will use passive acoustic monitors and avian observational data (e.g.
point counts or line transects) to examine biodiversity in this region. The Western and
Eastern Ghats are highly diverse and dynamic landscapes, supporting natural habitats
and working farms. The successful candidate will use passive acoustic monitors alongside
observational transects to evaluate where and how bioacoustics can augment our
understanding of community assemblage structure, diversity, and behavior of vocalizing
bird species. These data will advance our knowledge of how technology can facilitate
wildlife conservation, and where additional methodological and/or technological
advances are needed to obtain adequate precision and accuracy to use acoustic data to
track avian populations through space and time. Preferred applicants will have
experience with bird observation, quantitative analysis, strong writing skills, the ability to
work well in teams, and a commitment to continuous learning. The project will be a
collaboration with Pomona College, USA.
4. Biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health on coffee farms
Description: This project will build on existing data on bird and bat communities on
coffee farms in the Western Ghats. The study will use mist nets to collect and analyze
diet samples from birds and bats in farms that vary along a gradient from sun to shade
coffee. Information on diet will be combined with using exclosures to evaluate the
effect of agricultural intensification on vertebrate pest control services. Human health
risk to farm workers along the diversified farming gradient will be assessed using
wristbands that detect pesticide exposure and button thermometers on shoes that
measure heat exposure in real time. Together, these data will advance understanding of
how farmland diversification/intensification impacts biodiversity-mediated pest control,
with potential benefits to human health through reduced need for chemical inputs.
Preferred applicants will have experience with mist netting birds or bats, quantitative
analysis, strong writing skills, and the ability to work well in partnership with private
landowners and farm workers. This project is in collaboration with Colorado State
University, USA.
5. Understanding human-wildlife interactions
Description: The research project will evaluate conservation programs that help farmers
experiencing wildlife conflict in receiving government compensation. The Ph.D. student
recruited for this project will assist in the evaluation of this conservation program.
Possible avenues for evaluation are: does the program increase compensation received
per conflict incident? Does the program improve attitudes towards wildlife? If the
program improves access to compensation, does its implementation reduce incentives
to implement private investment in reducing animal conflict? Preferred applicants will
demonstrate statistical training and aptitude, experience in program evaluation, and
experience in fieldwork. A background in economics is preferred, but not required. This
project is in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, Canada.
6. Open topics
In addition to the positions available in different projects (as stated above), candidates
with CSIR/UGC/DST doctoral fellowships are encouraged to apply, provided their
interests match that of a Guide at CWS. Typically, most projects are executed in
collaboration with faculty from international universities, and national institutions in
India.
Essential Qualifications
■ Indian national /or OCI, with a postgraduate degree in natural sciences, social sciences,
medical sciences, veterinary sciences, or engineering, with at least 65% marks or
equivalent, and a minimum of 2 years of experience in field-based wildlife research.
Desirable Qualifications
■ Demonstrated ability to write proposals and reports; Publication of scientific and popular
articles; Knowledge of survey and analytical methods in ecology; Working knowledge of
software such as QGIS/ArcGIS and R. UGC/CSIR-NET/GATE eligible candidates are
encouraged to apply; GRE/TOEFL scores for OCI candidates.
Fellowship
■ Each selected Ph.D. student will get a fellowship of Rs. 40,000, and once they successfully
complete the required coursework and pass their candidacy examination the fellowships
will get revised to Rs. 50,000.
How to apply
■ Please fill the format at cwslnk.co/apply2024phd to apply.
■ Please submit in one pdf document:
1. Undergraduate transcript
2. Masters’ transcript
3. CV/resume
4. 1-2 page personal statement identifying your main research interests from the above
list (max. 2) and expanding on your relevant experience
5. List and copies of scientific publications, technical reports, or popular articles published
6. Students with other scholarships/fellowships: Students who have secured the
DST-INSPIRE, UGC-NET, CSIR fellowships and GATE scores would also be required to
attend the written entrance examination. 7. Three referee statements should be sent directly to sruthi.unnikrishnan@cwsindia.org
by the referees.
■ Deadline for submitting applications is March 15th 2024.
Selection Process
Applicants shortlisted based on essential and desirable qualifications would be required to
appear for an in-person entrance test conducted by CWS. Those who have cleared the entrance
test will be invited for an in-person/online interview with the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS),
Bangalore. Expenses need to be borne by the candidates themselves.
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