Prof C Mueller, Dr karl richards
No more applications being accepted
About the Project
Increasing food supply whilst simultaneously reducing environmental impacts and enhancing resilience to future climate are the key challenges facing agriculture. Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions comprise over one-third of all agricultural emissions, with the majority arising from livestock production. Current N2O mitigation research attempts to reduce N2O emissions via various means may increase other reactive N losses (from leached N or ammonia volatilisation). Converting excess soil N to N2 (via the process of denitrification and co-denitrification) offers the prospect of diverting excess N away from environmentally damaging N forms (N2O, NH3, NO3-) to environmentally benign N2. This multidisciplinary research will consist of a dual modelling and measurement approach. A 15N stable isotope tracer approach will be used to quantify N2 fluxes from soil and will be combined with state-of–the-art molecular approaches to assess the structure and activity of soil microbial communities driving denitrification.
The PhD objectives are:
• To identify and quantify the impact of agricultural management on N2 emissions across a range of grassland soils with different denitrification potential
• To investigate the impact of soil pH control through liming on the N2O: N2 ratio in Irish soils
Within this large multidisciplinary project the candidate will work closely with the NUI Galway soil microbiology PhD student and the project postdoc and technician. In addition research resources in Teagasc, University College Dublin and University of Giessen will be available to the candidate.
Funding Notes
Applications are invited from graduates holding at least a 2.1 class honours degree or M.Sc. in Soil Science, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Science or related discipline. Prior experience in gaseous emissions from soil would be advantageous. A full driving licence and fluency in English are essential.
Further Information/Applications: Prof. Christoph Mueller email: [Email Address Removed] and Dr Karl Richards Email: [Email Address Removed] Submit an electronic copy of your Curriculum Vitae and a letter of interest to both supervisors.
Closing date: 20th June 2017 or when the position is filled.
References
Copies of academic references and cover letter outlining why you would like to persue this specific PhD project.