Eric Mungatana

Three NRF-funded PhD positions are available at Stellenbosch University and University of Fort Hare, focusing on entomology, conservation ecology, and agricultural economics. The overarching research theme is 'Arthropod diversity at neglected agricultural-natural interfaces: baselines for conservation and monitoring.' Two positions are in Conservation Entomology and one in Agricultural Economics. Research topics include: (1) Evaluation of insect declines in South Africa using long-term datasets and re-surveys to quantify changes in arthropod assemblages and predict ecosystem shifts; (2) Arthropod functional diversity within agricultural landscapes, developing trait databases and quantifying diversity patterns to inform conservation interventions; (3) Economic valuation of arthropod ecosystem services, conducting interviews and surveys to identify attitudes and preferences for ecosystem services and analyzing economic values. Supervisors include Prof. Eric Mungatana, Dr. Willem De Lange, Prof. James Pryke, Prof. Colleen Seymour, Prof. Helga van der Merwe, Dr. Lavhelesani Simba, and Dr. René Gaigher. The positions are registered at Stellenbosch University, with some based at University of Fort Hare. Students will receive laboratory and office space, running costs, and support to present at conferences. Candidates are expected to publish in international peer-reviewed journals and contribute to the overall project. Funding follows NRF policies, with Full Cost of Study (FCS) or Partial Cost of Study (PCS) available depending on financial need, disability status, academic achievement, and nationality. International students and South African students not eligible for FCS may receive PCS funding. The application deadline is 19th January 2026. Applicants must hold an MSc in a relevant field (entomology, conservation ecology, zoology, botany, economics, environmental economics, agricultural economics), possess strong quantitative analytical, English writing, and communication skills, and a valid Driver’s License is advantageous. To apply, submit copies of all previous degrees and transcripts, a cover letter, and a comprehensive résumé with at least two referees. For queries, contact the listed supervisors via email. For more details, visit the provided links.