Community / ecosystem ecological impacts of coexisting herbivores in Qinghai Tibetan Plateau alpine meadows

One of the most diverse grasslands on Earth are Tibetan alpine meadows, located on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. These meadows average 30 to 40 plant species per 0.25 square meter. In a world where ecosystems are increasingly modified and fragmented, it is critically important to understand why ecosystems differ in diversity and how species coexist. These alpine grasslands are used for intense livestock grazing by sheep, yaks and horses. In addition, a diverse array of herbivores coexists with livestock, common are small mammals such as zokors, pikas, marmots, and insects, such as caterpillars, and grasshoppers. The PhD position will be part of a collaborative project to examine how herbivores and plant diversity interact. The project will test the central hypothesis that multiple consumers, specifically herbivore communities that differ in diet and vary from generalist to specialist, are essential to the maintenance of high diversity, high net primary productivity, fast nutrient cycling, and grazing sustainability. A Specific PhD project will be developed depending on each students’ expertise and interest.

For more information about doctoral scholarship and PhD programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU): Please visit
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/study-with-us/admissions/entry-requirements
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd/feesscholarships.html

Requirements:

The candidates should have a first class or upper second class honours degree, or a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification), in Ecology or a related field. Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential, and a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, or equivalent is required, if the first language is not English and the undergraduate and master’s degree where not obtained at a University where English was the instruction
language. Field work will be during the summer months in Qinghai Province, China at 3,500 to 4,500 m elevation. Both positions are open to all qualified candidates
irrespective of nationality.

Degree:

The student will be awarded a PhD degree from the University of Liverpool (UK) upon successful completion of the program.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are advised to email [Email Address Removed] the following documents for initial review and assessment (please put the project title in the subject line).
 CV
 Two reference letters with company/university letterhead
 Personal statement outlining your interest in the position
 Proof of English language proficiency (an IELTS score of 6.5 or above)
 Verified school transcripts in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)
 Verified certificates of education qualifications in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Johannes Knops

([Email Address Removed]), whose personal profile is linked below,

http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/faculty/................