Doctoral Research Programme in Conservation Science
The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), a non-governmental research organization with its headquarters in Bangalore, announces the launch of its Doctoral Research Programme in Conservation Science starting in June 2007. This degree will be offered through Manipal University. We invite applications from highly motivated students from either the natural or social sciences interested in conducting research towards a Ph.D. degree in Conservation Science.
ATREE was established in 1996 to combine principles of natural and social sciences and to build the necessary social and human capital needed to address our most pressing environmental challenges. At ATREE we work on issues relating to India's rapidly diminishing biological resources and natural ecosystems, and the environmental, social and economic implications of this decline. The faculty at ATREE have a wide range of research interests which includes, forest ecology, forest hydrology, landscape ecology, insect taxonomy and systematics, forest canopy science, forest economics, and conservation ecology. The programmes at ATREE are designed to promote biodiversity conservation through scientific research, education, policy and governance reforms, and by working with civil society, local communities, and the Government. To facilitate these activities ATREE has developed a well-equipped network of three offices and several field stations across India. ATREE fosters diversity and gender equity at the work place. Thus women and persons from underprivileged groups are especially encouraged to apply. ATREE functions in a decentralized manner and provides independence to students and staff members to pursue their research interests.
Eligibility
(a) The candidate must have a masters' degree in science or humanities AND
(b) Must:
Have qualified for one of the following entrance exams: UGC-CSIR (minimum NET), GATE, or equivalent qualifying exam OR have an M.Phil. degree OR have published at least one peer-reviewed paper as lead author or co-author OR have demonstrated research ability by raising funds for research through a proposal
Application
Candidates seeking to register for the Ph.D. programme at ATREE should submit the following documents:
- A completed application form (download from www.atree.org)
- Copy of degree certificate, provisional degree, or mark sheets from previous semesters of the completed masters' degree
- Written statement of purpose, describing research and career goals (up to 1000 words)
- Confidential reference letters sent directly to ATREE from 2 referees by email or post or fax
- Names of 2 referees with their email address, and phone and fax numbers
- Other documents supporting eligibility requirements
The completed application form and supporting documents should be submitted by mail to the address below by May 11, 2007: please superscribe the envelope "Application for Ph.D. programme"
Dr. Robert John Chandran
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)
659, 5th 'A' Main Road, Hebbal, Bangalore, 560 024, India.
email: robertjc@atree.org ; Phone: +91-80-2353 0069 ; Fax: +91-80-2353 0070
Applicants who fulfill the eligibility requirements will be asked to appear for an interview at the ATREE office in Bangalore during May 21- 22, 2007.
Programme
Doctoral students at ATREE are required to undergo coursework in the foundations of natural and social sciences, research methods, and in the principles of interdisciplinary research. Students can also choose from a set of specialized/advanced elective courses in the natural and social sciences. Students will be expected to carry out independent research with advice from a primary supervisor and a committee.
Research and student fellowships
We encourage doctoral research to focus on the following areas, but welcome other interests as well:
- The effects of climate change in marginal habitats 1) tropical high mountain tops and forest canopies and 2) tropical forest-agricultural landscapes. Fellowships for interested students are available through an ATREE-Norwegian partnership project with Norwegian Agricultural University (NORAGRIC).
- Study the impact of human mediated global change on biodiversity by developing taxonomic and landscape level databases, niche modeling, GIS and RS based analysis, and also contribute to the ecological informatics centre (www.ecoinfoindia.org) at ATREE. Student fellowships are available through the JRS Foundation.
- Resource economics, and the history and anthropology of resource use cultures in natural and agricultural habitats. Inter-disciplinary research approaches that integrate knowledge from environmental history and ethnography with the natural sciences to implement and monitor tropical natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. Student fellowships are available through the ATREE-NORAGRIC partnership.
- Ecology, conservation biology, ecosystem ecology, biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in the Eastern Himalayas and Assam. Fellowships for interested students are available through the Critical Ecosystem Project Fund (CEPF) for work in the Eastern Himalayas and the World Heritage Biodiversity Programme (WHBP) for work in Manas and Kaziranga National Parks in Assam. Students who originate from states in the north-eastern part of India are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Economic policy and the valuation of ecosystem services; governance systems to support sustainable management of ecosystem services; governance and ecosystem management of coastal and marine systems; adaptive governance of dynamic land- and seascapes; governance and conservation of urban ecosystems. Research and student fellowships could be facilitated through ATREE's partnership with the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC), Sweden, a new international centre established to promote transdisciplinary research.
Detailed information on the programmes at ATREE, research interests of ATREE faculty, and field infrastructure of ATREE can be obtained at http://www.atree.org
Download the Advertisement and the Application Form.
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