Oferta compartida por Cristina
Project Opportunities Available
1. Understanding elephant behaviour at the human-elephant interface
Description: This project will primarily attempt to understand elephant behaviour at
the human-elephant interface, including conflict situations, through extensive field
observations and stakeholder surveys. The study hopes to focus on the identification
and examination of the behavioural profiles of individual elephants. Many management
decisions are influenced by the public classification of certain animals as ‘problem’
individuals, resulting in the removal of the animal. It is thus imperative to examine the
behavioural responses of elephant individuals and groups towards various deterrents or
mitigation techniques, used in conflict situations, and the perceptions of local
communities towards the behavioural dynamics of such elephants.
Advisor: Dr. Sreedhar Vijayakrishnan (CWS)
Co-Advisor: Dr. Krithi Karanth (CWS, Duke University)
2. Evaluating Agroforestry Initiatives
Description: This research project will focus on the ongoing evaluation of agroforestry
initiatives in the Western Ghats. Building upon our previous research-related pilot
surveys and early interventions in support of increasing tree cover within smallholders’
agricultural plots within a context of how the frequency of human-wildlife interactions is
affected by nearby forests (linking to #4 below). This involves a range of skills:
interviewing, implementing surveys, designing those surveys to best assess impacts,
economic perspectives on best responses, and econometric analysis.
Advisor: Dr. Krithi Karanth (CWS, Duke University)
Co-Advisor: Dr. Alex Pfaff (Duke University)
3. Understanding human-wildlife interactions and evaluating conservation
interventions
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.
Advisor: Dr. Krithi Karanth (CWS, Duke University)
Co-Advisor: Dr. Sumeet Gulati (University of British Columbia)
4. Understanding the role of women in conservation
Description: The doctoral student will examine theoretical and/or exploratory questions
about the role of women in conservation leadership. The Ph.D. student will build upon
exploratory work done in other parts of the world, examining different dimensions of
leadership in India. Preferred applicants will demonstrate a mixed-methods
background, with experience in structured survey design, administration, and analysis,
as well as qualitative methodologies.
Advisor: Dr. Krithi Karanth (CWS, Duke University)
Co-Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Solomon (Colorado State University)
5. 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. GRE/TOEFL scores.
Fellowship
■ Each selected Ph.D. student will get a fellowship of Rs. 40,000, and once they successfully
complete the required coursework, qualify for the comprehensive examination, and
defend their Ph.D. proposals at the university, the fellowships would get upgraded to
Rs. 45,000.
How to apply
Please write to aishwarya.anilkumar@cwsindia.org with Subject Line:
PhDApplication_FirstName_LastName.
■ 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 are also eligible to apply to CWS. These
students need not attend the written examination but have to qualify the interviews to
be able to get into the Doctoral Program. Please attach proof of such fellowship. Those
with a GATE score also need not attend the written examination but have to qualify the
interviews. Indicate your GATE score and year of qualifying in the cover letter.
Three referee statements (should be sent directly to
sreedhar.vijayakrishnan@cwsindia.org)
Selection Process:
Applicants shortlisted based on essential and desirable qualifications would be required to
appear for an online entrance test conducted by CWS. Those who have cleared the online
entrance test will be invited for an in person/online interview with the Centre for Wildlife
Studies, Bangalore, at their expense.
Applications Submission: Feb 1st 2021 - March 31st, 2022
Written Examination (Online): April 18th, 2022
Interview with shortlisted candidates: April 25th to May 15th, 2022
Start of Program: July 1st 2022
