Context: Livestock rearing as a form of land-use has sustained the high-elevation landscapes of the Indian trans-Himalaya. It has allowed pastoral communities to carry forward their social and cultural values that include an inherent respect for the local ecological constraints. It is these practices that allowed them to live alongside rare wildlife that are found in low densities in these areas. Issues around pasture management and degradation, particularly due to changing climate are of key concerns in these low productivity landscapes.

Role: The student will develop their ideas about the ecology, health, and management of high elevation grasslands and rangelands of the Indian trans-Himalayas. We are especially keen to work with students that have an interdisciplinary interest that could incorporate studying herbivory, plant communities, interactions with wildlife, and local uses of rangelands by pastoral people, in particularly, but not necessarily limited to the Pashmina goat rearing Changpa people.  

Requirements:

-Masters degree in any relevant discipline, including a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent

-Should have cleared one of the national eligibility test (UGC/CSIR-NET/GATE exams). You can apply if you are expecting your results in the next few months.

-Previous research, publication, and/or field experience is desirable.

-Travel between Ladakh (field work) and Bangalore (office)

-Willing to work and collaborate with other team members

Remuneration:

The DST scales for JRF-SRF will be followed.

Application process: 

Please submit the following documents to munib@ncf-india.org.

-500 word statement of purpose

-1-2 page research concept note on the above topic with a yearly plan (minimum 3 years)

-CV

Deadline and process: 18^th March 2023.

Shortlisted candidates will be Invited for interview rounds.

Have questions? Write to: munib@ncf-india.org