Applications are invited for a full-time PhD research position funded by Teagasc as part of the EU project AnimalChange (www.animalchange.eu), and in collaboration with University College Dublin.
Intensification of extreme weather events is becoming one of the most important aspects of climate change. The effect of extreme climate events is one of the largest sources of uncertainty in many predictions of the impacts of extreme events on agricultural systems, and informs the choice of appropriate mitigation and/or adaptation strategies. Recent results from a pan-European network of experiments demonstrate important yield advantages of four-species grass-legume swards compared to monocultures of either grasses or legumes. Thus, mixed swards in general, and especially mixed swards with legumes, offer an important adaptation option. Through a combination of field plots and pot trials, this research project will experimentally investigate whether and how the diversity of grassland mixtures (from one to four species) affects the relative ability of monocultures and mixtures to withstand and recover from experimental drought. As well as being of applied importance, this project will also have strong relevance to testing ecological theories about diversity and stability. Main duties will include design and maintenance of field experiments; data collection, analysis and interpretation, and; publication of results in international journals.
The doctoral candidate will be supervised jointly by Dr. Jennifer McElwain, University College Dublin (UCD) and Dr John Finn, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford. The successful candidate will be located at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford (www.agresearch.teagasc.ie/johnstown/index.asp).
Conditions of the award: Applicants should possess a first class or upper second-class honours degree in ecology, agricultural science, plant physiology or a related subject, and a Masters degree will be a distinct advantage. Knowledge of plant ecology and a strong quantitative ability to analyse data will be essential. An ability to drive would also be advantageous. Applications should be sent to (Dr John Finn) by 30th September 2011 and should include a covering letter and CV, and the names and contact details of two academic referees. The starting date of the position will be around December 2011. For further information about the project, please contact Dr John Finn, email: john.finn@teagasc.ie
Amount of award: Candidates will receive €21,000 per year for no more than four years, out of which the candidate will be required to pay University College Dublin registration fees as well as costs of living. Fees at UCD for doctoral students are currently €5800 per year for EU citizens and €11,600 for non-EU citizens, and are likely to increase over time.