Understanding leadership and modularity in mixed-species flocks across a latitudinal gradient

About the Project

Chinese mixed-species bird flocks have been well-studied in the south of China, where they are led by babblers, and in the north of China, where they are led by the tit family. But little is understood about how they two flock systems interrelate in the mid latitudes of China. A recent PhD project has sampled flocks in 10 reserves from Hainan to Shaanxi. The new project will add the following components to this sampling: data on leadership, recordings of the whole bird community, and measurements of vegetation. Possible thesis chapters include: investigating how mixed-species group modularity and acoustic information production relate to vegetation; acoustic overlap between species in different contexts; and patterns in leadership in relation to information production. Ultimately, this thesis will investigate the balance between species distinctiveness, which reduces competition, and species similarity, which increases the transfer of information.

For more information about doctoral scholarship and PhD programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), please visit:

• https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/global/entry-requirements/
• https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/global/fees-and-scholarship

Supervisors:

• Principal supervisor: Professor Eben Goodale (XJTLU)
• Co-supervisor: Dr. Yuehan Dou (XJTLU)
• Co-supervisor: Dr. Jakob Bro-Jorgensen (UoL)

Requirements:

A Master's degree with Merit is required. Excellent bird identification skills are required. Previous publications and excellent quantitative and programming skills are preferred. Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have an IELTS (or equivalent) 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.

Funding:

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 99,000 per annum) and provides a monthly stipend of 5,000 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 holders are expected to conduct the majority of their research at XJTLU in Suzhou, China. However, they may apply for a short-term research visit to the University of Liverpool if the project requires it.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are advised to email Eben.Goodale@xjtlu.edu.cn 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)
• PDF copy of Master Degree dissertation (or an equivalent writing sample) and examiners reports available

Contact:

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Eben.Goodale@xjtlu.edu.cn, whose personal profile can be found at: https://scholar.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/persons/EbenGoodale/