Dr Y Zou, Dr Z Chen, Dr J Hodgson
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
Requirements:
The candidate should have a first class or upper second class honours degree, or a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification), in Ecology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science or related subjects. Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, if the first language is not English. This position is 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.
Project Description:
Wild pollinators are crucial for many crops, while their diversity are greatly threatened due to anthropogenic activities, of which the loss of natural habitat and the increased use of insecticides are two important drivers. Landscapes with intensive cultivated land use contain lower semi-natural habitat and higher chemical pollution that might reduce the diversity of wild pollinators. However, knowledge of how landscape context affects pollination communities is still lacking, which is particular true for China’s small-scale agro-ecosystems. This project aims to conduct a systematic study from landscape context and environmental factors to wild pollinator diversity and pollination services. The project will conduct a series of surveys on insect pollinator communities, fertilization and pesticide application and pollination services in different landscape contexts in Jiangxi Province, China. Results will provide knowledge insights of the biodiversity conservation and utilization of pollinator insects, and also help to understand the suitable distribution of agricultural landscape contexts in order to improve pollination services.
For more information about doctoral scholarship and PhD programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU): Please visit:
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd/entry-requirements.html
and:
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd/feesscholarships.html
How to Apply:
Interested applicants are advised to email [Email Address Removed] (XJTLU principal supervisor’s email address) 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 Dr. Yi Zou ([Email Address Removed]), whose personal profile is linked below,
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/departments/academic-departments/environmental-science/staff/yi-zou
Funding Notes
The PhD studentship is available for three years subject to satisfactory progress by the student. The award covers tuition fees for three years (currently equivalent to RMB 80,000 per annum) and provides a monthly stipend of 3500 RMB as a contribution to living expenses. It also provides up to RMB 16,500 to allow participation at international conferences during the period of the award. It is a condition of the award that holders of XJTLU PhD scholarships carry out 300-500 hours of teaching assistance work per year. The scholarship holder is expected to carry out the major part of his or her research at XJTLU in Suzhou, China. However, he or she is eligible for a research study visit to the University of Liverpool of up to three months, if this is required by the project.
References
Zou, Y., Bianchi, F.J.J.A., Jauker, F., Xiao, H., Chen, J., Cresswell, J., Luo, S., Huang, J., Deng, X., Hou, L., & van der Werf, W. (2017) Landscape effects on pollinator communities and pollination services in small-holder agroecosystems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 246, 109-116.