Cattle Corridors Africa PhD Scholarship 2023 for African Students. Apply below.
Table of Contents
When is Application Deadline?
Rolling. Offered once the Two candidates emerge
Tell Me About Award:
We are offering two fully-funded PhD opportunities through the University of Botswana and the
National University of Science & Technology in Zimbabwe, in partnership with Pretoria University in South Africa and Aarhus University in Denmark. The selected PhD candidates will form part of a broader programme that examines the contribution that different rangeland management practices make to wildlife conservation in Southern Africa.
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The broader programme, termed “Cattle Corridors – Aligning ecological processes and local livelihoods”, is funded by the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer Research Grant through Oppenheimer Generations – Research and Conservation. The programme brings together academics and conservation practitioners from institutes across Southern Africa and Denmark.
The programme aims to demonstrate the ecological connectivity that can be achieved through the maintenance of functional rangelands. We will explore the ways in which, and the conditions under
which, the presence of pastoralists and their cattle may provide functional ecological connectivity
between more intact, but isolated wilderness ecosystems.
Despite the protection afforded to wildlife populations within the confines of protected areas,
changes in land-use and land management approaches in the space that separates conservation
areas, are causing the protected populations to become increasingly fragmented. Yet in many parts
of Africa, semi-natural rangelands occur in landscape mosaics in and amongst protected areas and
have the potential to make very meaningful contributions to conservation by facilitating species
movement amongst protected areas. In this programme we will explore this potential and evaluate
how cattle create habitat characteristics and vegetation structure that enable natural dispersal in
animals and plants.
What about Eligible Field(s) of Study?
There are two exciting opportunities for PhD candidates to each take charge of one component of
this programme:
- PhD 1: Evaluate the impact of different cattle management practices on rangeland vegetation
structure and its implications for the dispersal potential of smaller wildlife species. - PhD 2: Explore the mechanisms through which cattle shape nutrient and mineral landscapes in
rangelands and the implications for the dispersal potential of plant species.
What Countries are Eligible?
African countries
Where will Award Take Place?
Both PhD candidates will have an opportunity to work in at least two field sites (Shangani Ranch in
Zimbabwe and the Eastern Okavango Panhandle in Botswana). Both projects will include extended
fieldwork periods where the candidates will be expected to work together in data collection.
PhD 1 will be enrolled at the University of Botswana with a supervisory team as follows:
- Dr Edwin Mudongo (Head of Herding Programme at CLAWS, Conservancy-Communities
Living Among Wildlife Sustainably) - Dr Richard Fynn (Professor at the Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana)
- Dr Elizabeth le Roux (Assistant Professor at the Section of Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity at
Aarhus University in Denmark and Fellow of the Mammal Research Institute at University of
Pretoria)
PhD 2 will be enrolled at the National University of Science & Technology in Zimbabwe with a
supervisory team as follows: - Dr Rangarirai Huruba (Head of Operations at Shangani Holistic)
- Dr Allan Sebata (Professor at the National University of Science & Technology in Zimbabwe)
- Dr Elizabeth le Roux (Assistant Professor at the Section of Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity at
Aarhus University in Denmark and Fellow of the Mammal Research Institute at University of
Pretoria)
The PhDs will each be expected to be based at their university of enrolment but will be expected to
spend a significant period of time (up to three months) at Aarhus University in Denmark in the final
year of their PhD study period (travel expenses and accommodation in Aarhus will be covered by the
project funds during this period).
In addition to the direct supervisory team, each PhD will have the opportunity to work and interact
with several other programme partners, including wildlife managers, conservation practitioners and
other academics.
Successful candidates will be expected to present the findings of their research to audiences at
academic conferences (including one international conference) and at a final dissemination
workshop involving the pastoralist communities that were involved in the research, conservation
practitioners, ranch/conservancy managers and local decision makers.
Who is Eligible?
Essential requirements for both PhD candidates
- The candidate must be a citizen of an African country
- An MSc degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, or other relevant field.
- Basic experience with quantitative data collection, and a basic statistical understanding with
experience in data analyses. - English proficiency – both verbal and written
Preferred additional requirements for both PhD candidates
- A basic competence in the statistical analysis language R will be a great advantage.
- Experience with mixed effect models
- Proficiency in a local language of the country of enrolment will be an advantage, but not
essential - Previous publications will be a great advantage, but not essential.
How many Awards?
2
What is Value of Award?
Each student will receive an annual stipend of 150 000 ZAR subject to adequate progress. In addition
to this stipend, university tuition fees will be fully covered by the project funds, and each student
will receive a computer to use through the three-year study period.
How to Apply?
Applications must be sent to Dr Elizabeth le Roux at [email protected]
Please insert the following subject line: “PhD Application for Cattle Corridors” and indicate in your
email for which of the two positions you are applying.
Documents to include:
- CV
- A single page motivation, explaining why you would be interested in the position and why
you believe your previous experience would make you a suitable candidate for
consideration. - MSc, Honours degree and BSc transcript documents
- Names and emails of two referees (we will contact the referees from shortlisted candidates,
please make sure that they are aware of your application and that they may be contacted)
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview. Candidates are encouraged to apply as
soon as possible as interviews will be held on a rolling basis and the positions will be offered once
two strong candidates have been identified. The position will remain open until filled. The start date
will be March 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Any questions can be directed per email to Dr Elizabeth le Roux ([email protected]).
GOODLUCK!
