Postdoc, PhD, and MSc opportunities at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
Akihiro Nakamura
This is Aki from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Our laboratory is recruiting postdoctoral researchers and graduate students to work on forest ecology, particularly insect biodiversity conservation and BVOC-related research.
Details are as follows.
We are seeking resilient individuals who can find fulfillment in a challenging environment and who are open to cultural differences.
Thank you very much!
Ak
Postdoc
Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Forest Canopy Ecology Group, Xishuangbanna, China
The Forest Canopy Ecology Group, led by Professor Aki Nakamura, is based at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, The Chinese Academy of Sciences. Our international and interdisciplinary team includes two professors, one associate professor, three postdoctoral fellows, and several graduate students from diverse cultural backgrounds, including China, Japan, Benin, Nepal, the Philippines, the USA, and other countries across Asia and Africa.
We study a wide range of ecological topics, such as forest canopy ecology, nutrient cycling, functional ecology, ecological modeling, insect conservation, and biogeography. Our research is primarily conducted in the tropical forests of southwestern China (Xishuangbanna) and Southeast Asia.
We are currently seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to contribute to two ongoing projects:
1. Investigating the role of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in mediating herbivory and predation between the rainforest canopy and understory.
2. Long-term monitoring of insect taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in Southeast Asia using AI-based approaches.
Minimum Requirements:
• A strong background in entomology, ideally with expertise in chemical ecology, community ecology, or biodiversity conservation.
• Proven publication record: at least 1–2 first- or corresponding-author articles in SCI-listed journals per year.
• Willingness to conduct physically demanding fieldwork, often in remote tropical environments, with the assistance of local field staff.
• Proficiency in English (native level or equivalent to IELTS >7). This is NOT applicable if you have strong publication records.
• Competency in statistical analysis using R.
Desirable (but not required):
• Experience with GC-MS.
• Experience with manipulative laboratory experiments.
Salary & Benefits:
• Annual salary: 200,000–300,000 CNY, plus subsidized housing.
• Living expenses in Xishuangbanna are relatively low; most researchers live comfortably on 3,000–4,000 CNY/month.
To Apply:
If you meet the criteria above and are interested in joining our group, please contact Professor Aki Nakamura at a.nak...@xtbg.ac.cn with your CV and a brief statement of interest.
Application deadline:
October 31st or until a suitable candidate is found.
PhD and MSc scholarship opportunities in tropical China – Forest Canopy Ecology Group, Xishuangbanna, China
The Forest Canopy Ecology Group, led by Professor Aki Nakamura, is based at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Our international and interdisciplinary team includes two professors, one associate professor, three postdoctoral fellows, and several graduate students from diverse cultural backgrounds, including China, Japan, Benin, Nepal, the Philippines, the USA, and other countries across Asia and Africa.
We study a wide range of ecological topics such as forest canopy ecology, nutrient cycling, functional ecology, ecological modeling, insect conservation, and biogeography. Our research is primarily conducted in the tropical forests of southwestern China (Xishuangbanna) and Southeast Asia.
We are currently seeking a highly motivated PhD and MSc candidates to contribute to two ongoing projects:
1. Investigating the role of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in mediating herbivory and predation between the rainforest canopy and understory.
2. Long-term monitoring of insect taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in Southeast Asia using AI-based approaches.
Requirements:
• A strong interest in entomology, ideally with some experience working on chemical ecology, community ecology, or biodiversity conservation.
• PhD: Proven publication record: at least 1–2 first- or corresponding-author articles in scientific journals.
• Willingness to conduct physically demanding fieldwork, often in remote tropical environments, with the assistance of local field staff.
• Proficiency in English (equivalent to IELTS >6.5 for PhD and >6.0 for MSc).
• Competency in statistical analysis using R.
Scholarship Benefits:
• tuition fee waiver and monthly stipends, plus free housing during your study (4 years for PhD, 3 years for MSc).
• Annual financial support for your research work.
To Apply:
If you meet the criteria above and are interested in joining our group, please contact Professor Aki Nakamura at a.nak...@xtbg.ac.cn with your CV and a brief statement of interest.
The deadline of the scholarship application is Feb or March 2026, but we wish to find suitable candidates to apply for scholarships to work with us. Once the applicants are accepted by the research group, XTBG will assist the candidates to apply for scholarships (being accepted by our group does not guarantee the scholarships).