Students interested in ecology, biodiversity, plant evolution and conservation have an opportunity to pursue MSc and PhD research with the Open Ecosystems Research Team at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences, in China. The research team is welcoming enquiries from motivated prospective postgraduate students interested in studying grasslands, savannas and other open ecosystems across China and Tropical East Asia. The programme offers opportunities to contribute to ongoing scientific research while developing individual research questions within a broader programme focused on ecological and evolutionary processes. Students interested in applying for the 2027 Spring intake should contact the research team by 30 November 2026 to allow sufficient time for the relevant application procedures. Admission, funding and degree arrangements depend on the applicable XTBG and Chinese Academy of Sciences programmes. Prospective applicants should therefore confirm the available funding opportunities, eligibility requirements and admission procedures directly with the research team. MSc and PhD Opportunities Overview Opportunity: MSc and PhD research opportunities Research institution: Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) Affiliation: Chinese Academy of Sciences Research team: Open Ecosystems Research Team Location: China Research focus: Ecology, biodiversity, plant evolution and conservation Intake: 2027 Spring intake Initial enquiry deadline: 30 November 2026 Contact person: Dr Kyle Tomlinson Email: kyle.tomlinson@xtbg.org.cn Funding: Depends on the relevant programme; applicants should confirm availability directly About the Open Ecosystems Research Team The Open Ecosystems Research Team at XTBG investigates how plant communities and individual species respond and adapt to environmental conditions and environmental change. Its research focuses particularly on the diverse but frequently overlooked open ecosystems of tropical and subtropical Asia. Grasslands, savannas and related ecosystems face growing pressures from land-use change, habitat fragmentation, changing disturbance patterns and climate change. Understanding their biodiversity, ecological dynamics and environmental drivers is essential for developing effective conservation and management strategies. The team combines field ecology, community ecology, functional trait analysis, molecular approaches and spatial analysis to investigate ecological and evolutionary processes across different spatial and temporal scales. Students joining the research team may contribute to ongoing projects while developing their own research questions in line with their academic interests, preparation and degree requirements. Potential Research Topics Prospective MSc and PhD students may explore research questions within several areas of ecology, evolution and conservation. 1. Community and Functional Ecology Research may investigate plant community composition, community assembly, functional traits and how plant communities respond to environmental gradients. 2. Grassland and Savanna Biodiversity Students may document plant diversity and examine the environmental factors that influence the distribution and composition of grassy ecosystems. 3. Disturbance Ecology Potential projects may explore how fire, grazing and other disturbances influence plant communities, functional diversity and vegetation dynamics. 4. Plant–Herbivore Interactions Research may investigate how herbivores affect plant traits, community composition and the persistence of open ecosystems. 5. Open Ecosystem Mapping and Conservation Students may examine where grasslands, savannas and other open ecosystems occur, how these ecosystems are changing and how they can be better represented in conservation planning. 6. Biogeography and Environmental Change Projects may investigate historical and contemporary ecosystem distributions and their responses to changing climatic conditions. 7. Plant Evolution and Adaptation Research may examine how genetic variation, genome evolution and reproductive strategies contribute to plant adaptation across environmental gradients. Specific projects may involve field surveys, plant identification, functional-trait measurements, laboratory work, ecological experiments, quantitative analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing or molecular approaches. Who Can Apply? The research team welcomes enquiries from prospective students with academic backgrounds in: Ecology and biology Botany and plant sciences Environmental science Conservation biology Bioinformatics Related scientific disciplines Applicants should have the academic preparation required for their proposed research project. The team values curiosity, motivation and a willingness to develop as a researcher. Experience in fieldwork, quantitative analysis, the R programming language, GIS, laboratory methods or molecular biology may be required for certain projects and beneficial for others. Although some projects address ecological questions at regional or global scales, students from China and other countries across Tropical East Asia are particularly encouraged to enquire because much of the team’s field research takes place in the region. Prospective students should explain how their academic background, research interests and relevant technical skills align with the team’s work. What Will Students Gain? Joining the Open Ecosystems Research Team may provide opportunities to: Conduct research on understudied ecosystems in Tropical East Asia. Develop practical experience in field ecology, laboratory methods and quantitative research. Work with ecological, spatial or genomic datasets. Participate in an interdisciplinary research environment covering ecology, evolution, biogeography and conservation. Contribute to scientific publications and research collaborations, depending on project progress and individual contributions. Develop research skills relevant to careers in conservation, biodiversity research, environmental management and academia. The specific activities and training available will depend on the selected research project and the student’s degree arrangements. Funding and Admission Arrangements Admission, funding and degree arrangements are determined through the relevant XTBG and Chinese Academy of Sciences programmes. The research team has indicated that the number of available student positions is limited. Applicants should not assume that every MSc or PhD opportunity is fully funded. Interested students should contact the team to establish which positions are available, whether scholarships or stipends are offered, what academic qualifications are required and which formal application procedures apply. Early communication is important because prospective students need sufficient time to establish their suitability, identify an appropriate project and complete the relevant admission procedures. How to Apply for the MSc and PhD Opportunities Interested candidates should contact Dr Kyle Tomlinson, Professor with the Open Ecosystems Research Team at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Email: kyle.tomlinson@xtbg.org.cn Initial enquiries should include: An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV). A brief introduction to the applicant’s academic background. An explanation of their research interests. A clear indication of whether they are seeking an MSc or PhD opportunity. Applicants should explain their interest in ecology, biodiversity, evolution or conservation and highlight relevant academic preparation or research experience. Initial enquiry deadline: 30 November 2026. This deadline is intended to allow sufficient time for the application procedures associated with the 2027 Spring intake. Candidates should contact the research team early and confirm the formal application deadlines and requirements directly. Final Remarks The MSc and PhD research opportunities at XTBG may suit students seeking postgraduate research experience in ecology, plant diversity, evolution and conservation. With a focus on understudied open ecosystems across tropical and subtropical Asia, the research programme offers a potential pathway for students interested in understanding environmental change and supporting biodiversity conservation. Because positions are limited and funding arrangements vary, interested candidates should prepare their CVs and contact Dr Kyle Tomlinson before the stated enquiry deadline. SEE FULL TEXT HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.