Funded-PhD in tropical conservation

Joint-program at the University of Queensland & SUSTech (China)
Simple application due on 19 October, start date will be in Oct 2020

We are searching for an outstanding PhD candidate to conduct research focused on conservation of plant-animal interactions in tropical forests. The student’s research will utilize data collected from a large network of field sites in Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and China where mammals and trees have been systematically surveyed for multiple years. However, students with ambitious plans to work outside this region are also encouraged to apply, especially if they are interested in comparative projects between tropical regions.

The student will be supervised by Matthew Scott Luskin (UQ) and Luke Gibson (SUSTech). Luskin has recently joined the faculty of School of Biological Sciences and the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science at University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (yet to create university webpage, details of his lab can be found at www.ecologicalcascades.com). Gibson is an Associate Professor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China (www.primarilyforests.com).

The new UQ-SUSTech Collaborative PhD is a flexible program that allows students to benefit from diverse academic environments. The PhD student will spend the first two years at UQ (Brisbane, Australia) and the final two years at SUSTech (Shenzhen, China, 45 minutes from Hong Kong). We anticipate the student will also spend substantial time in the field during the 2nd and 3rd years of study. There will be a stipend of 27,000 AUD per year. Tuition at UQ is covered, tuition at SUSTech is 10,000 CNY (~2,000 AUD) per year. We will assist in visa applications to both countries, if necessary, as we have done successfully with other students. The resulting PhD degree will be awarded by UQ.

The application deadline is October 20, 2019 and the PhD will commence in October 2020. Interested students from any country or background are encouraged to apply. The student must meet minimum requirements at both UQ and SUSTech, including fluency in English. The successful applicant must have an Honours or Master’s degree in a relevant field, or provide evidence of equivalent experience (eg engagement in a university research lab or with NGO).