Ph.D. Opportunities in Wildlife Biology, Conservation, and Natural Resource Management

The Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy, and Learning (FERAL), in partnership with the Trans-Disciplinary University (TDU) in Bengaluru, India, invites applications for its 2026 Doctoral Program. The program focuses on Wildlife Biology, Conservation and Natural Resource Management, with degrees awarded by TDU. We seek motivated candidates with their own fellowships or funding for field-based Ph.D. research in India.

Research Areas

Ecology of Highly Endangered Megafauna

(1 position with Dr. Nachiket Kelkar, which may overlap with the next two research areas)
We invite Ph.D. proposals for in-depth autecological and population ecology studies on highly endangered species. Projects should address critical gaps in knowledge, focusing on population and habitat ecology, foraging behaviour, diet, anthropogenic stressors, or technological tools for studying these species in the wild.

River-Floodplain Capture Fisheries Ecology and Management

Research is needed on freshwater fish biology, production ecology, and sustainable fisheries management in the river-floodplains of the Gangetic plains. Candidates interested in focusing on these aspects are encouraged to apply.

Cetacean Ecology and Underwater Soundscapes

(1 position with Dr. Divya Panicker)
PhD proposals are invited for studies on cetacean ecology that integrate ecological and oceanographic/fluvial ecosystem-based perspectives in Indian waters. Studies focusing on distribution, diversity, and behaviour in coastal and oceanic habitats. Candidates may also explore oceanographic drivers, underwater soundscapes, or fish bioacoustics using approaches such as passive acoustic monitoring.

Primate Behavioral Ecology

(1 position with Dr. H. S. Sushma)
India hosts 24 primate species, many of which are endangered due to habitat loss, fragmentation, or hunting. We welcome Ph.D. proposals on primate ecology and behaviour, integrating studies to inform management in natural and human-dominated habitats.

Plant-Frugivore Interactions

(1 position with Dr. H. S. Sushma)
Understanding plant-frugivore interactions is vital for habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation. Ph.D. proposals are invited on frugivory, examining ecological and anthropogenic factors that influence interactions in terrestrial ecosystems, including urban areas, across any taxa.

Open Topics

In addition to the topics stated above, candidates with CSIR/UGC/DST doctoral fellowships whose interests align with that of a Guide at FERAL are encouraged to apply. Typically, most projects at FERAL are executed in collaboration with faculty from international universities and national institutions in India.

Eligibility Criteria

Required Qualifications

  1. Indian nationals holding a postgraduate degree in fields such as wildlife biology, zoology, fisheries biology, veterinary sciences, life sciences, social sciences, environmental science, genetics, or engineering
  2. A minimum of 65% marks or equivalent in postgraduate studies
  3. At least two years of experience after post-graduation in field-based wildlife research or natural resource management

Preferred Qualifications

  1. Proven skills in writing proposals, reports, and articles (scientific or popular) in English
  2. Basic understanding of survey methods, data collection, and data analysis techniques
  3. Familiarity with GIS software
  4. Candidates with UGC/CSIR-NET or GATE eligibility and their own fellowships or funding are strongly encouraged to apply
  5. Part-time candidates actively engaged in wildlife research, with salaries or stipends comparable to fellowships, are welcome to apply

Note:

FERAL and TDU will not provide fellowships or research funding for this program. The number of Ph.D. positions available could be limited based on faculty interest and scope to take a certain number of students in a given round.

How to Apply

Please submit one pdf document via email to Dr. H. S. Sushma , with the subject line “Application for 2026 PhD:” followed by the candidate’s name. The pdf should contain the following:

  1. Undergraduate transcripts
  2. Postgraduate transcripts
  3. A curriculum vitae (2 pages max)
  4. A Statement of Purpose (8-pages max) that should include the following:
  5. Personal statement identifying your main research interest from the above list and expanding on your relevant experience
  6. Title/Objective: A title that describes what you propose to research and the objective of your proposed research
  7. A short context on the research topic
  8. Key references related to the research topic
  9. List and copies of scientific publications, technical reports, or popular articles published
  10. Two referee statements (confidential) should be sent directly to Dr. H. S. Sushma, sushma@feralindia.org, by the referees.

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates, based on the eligibility criteria, must attend an in-person entrance test conducted by FERAL in July 2026. This applies to all applicants, including those with DST-INSPIRE, UGC-NET, CSIR fellowships, or GATE scores. Successful candidates will be invited for an in-person or online interview. Candidates are responsible for their own expenses.

Deadline for receiving applications is June 30, 2026

Contact

For inquiries, email Dr. H. S. Sushma at sushma@feralindia.org.