Assessing current adoption and potential for future Integrated Pest Management (IPM) on Irish grassland farms

The University of Reading is offering a funded 4-year PhD programme, tied to a separately-funded research project being managed by Teagasc, Ireland. The Teagasc project will address the issue of level of uptake of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the management of grassland on Irish farms. This will involve: (a) bringing together sector stakeholders to evaluate current pesticide use; (b) creating a metric for measuring IPM across grassland and horticulture systems; (c) identify approaches to increase use of this environmentally beneficial approach to pest management; (d) quantify progress on IPM use in Irish agriculture over time; and (e) determine the impacts of greater IPM adoption on economic, social and environmental sustainability. Working closely with Teagasc staff, the candidate will undertake elements of this research to supplement their own PhD research programme. The student will be registered at the University of Reading, UK, but will be largely based in Ireland working alongside Teagasc staff. Some time each year will be spent in Reading, for supervision and training purposes. 

Experience working with data collection, data management tools and interaction with industry stakeholders or farmers will be an advantage. Very good knowledge of spoken and written English is required. For applicants whose first language is not English, you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. Further information on English language requirements will be provided on application.

Candidates should submit an online application for a PhD in Agricultural, Environmental and Food Economics by Distance via the University application portal. The application should include: 1) a curriculum vitae (including contact details for at least one academic referee); and 2) a covering letter (not more than 800 words) detailing their qualifications and experience. The studentship is project-based and does not require the applicant to upload a project proposal. However, applicants should indicate, in their covering letter, the relevance of their first/master’s degree to the topic, as well as their academic strengths, personal attributes and career aims as they align to the PhD topic. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview, with this likely to take place during the last week of April 2021. 

More information on how to apply for this PhD programme can be found here: http://www.reading.ac.uk/graduateschool/how-to-apply/gs-how-to-apply-pgr.aspx

To make a general enquiry about your application, contact [Email Address Removed].

For further information on the PhD research programme, please contact: Karen Garrod ([Email Address Removed])

For further information about the Teagasc project, please contact: Fiona Thorne ([Email Address Removed])