This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/
For eligible successful applicants, the studentships comprises:
- An stipend for 3.5 years (currently £15,609 p.a. for 2021/22) in line with UK Research and Innovation rates
- Payment of university tuition fees;
- A research budget of £11,000 for an international conference, lab, field and research expenses;
- A training budget of £3,250 for specialist training courses and expenses
Thawing permafrost, a key soil C stock to understand
Project Background
The 2021 IPCC report confirms that immediate emissions reductions are required to avoid dangerous climate change, making the United Nations COP26 meeting in Glasgow in November 2021 of critical importance. As part of UN process towards to net zero carbon emission, an international initiative was launched in 2015 with the aim of increasing soil carbon stocks by 0.4 % per year (4p1000.org), targeting changes in soil management to deliver major societal benefits. However, enhancing soil carbon stocks is challenging and requires greater understanding of the mechanisms that can promote long-term carbon storage. Scientists recently recognised that it is physical and chemical properties of soils which promote long-term persistence, rather than the chemistry of organic matter itself. There are now opportunities to link this new understanding with soil management to enhance soil carbon stocks globally, and to understand the vulnerability of soil carbon stocks in areas where environmental conditions are changing rapidly, including thawing permafrost.
Project Aims and Methods
The aim of this project is to investigate methods for enhancing soil carbon storage to mitigate current rates of climate change and/or to determine the potential emissions from the world’s most vulnerable soils (permafrost). By tracing new carbon inputs into different soil organic matter pools, the project could determine how soil carbon storage is controlled under different environmental conditions. The project could manipulate the plants, nutrients, the types of soil, or how the soils are managed. There is a great opportunity for the student to take the research in the direction that interests them the most. Furthermore, because of the importance of the subject, there is considerable potential for the outcomes to generate high-impact publications and to produce findings with major applied implications.
Candidate requirements
We are looking for a highly-motivated student with an excellent understanding of terrestrial ecosystem dynamics, especially carbon and nutrient cycling. A strong background in academic research is required, and experience of chemical analysis of organic samples is desirable.
Project partners
This project is made possible by a unique experimental facility at the University of Exeter, and the world-leading analytical chemistry capabilities at the University of Bristol. Working collaboratively between these two institutions offers the student a wide range of training opportunities, and the possibility of developing highly novel approaches to investigate a globally important problem.
Training
The student will receive extensive training in the scientific method, experimental design, and hypothesis testing. In terms of project-specific skills, they will be trained in the use of state-of-the-art methods for tracing isotopically-labelled C into plant biomass and different soil organic matter pools. This will involve running a novel 13C-labelling chamber and analysing specific compounds using state-of-the-art organic geochemical methods and analytical approaches.
Useful links
For information relating to the research project please contact the lead Supervisor via [Email Address Removed].
Eligibility
NERC GW4+ DTP studentships are open to UK and Irish nationals who, if successful in their applications, will receive a full studentship including payment of university tuition fees at the home fees rate.
A limited number of full studentships are also available to international students which are defined as EU (excluding Irish nationals), EEA, Swiss and all other non-UK nationals. For further details please see the NERC GW4+ website.
Those not meeting the nationality and residency requirements to be treated as a ‘home’ student may apply for a limited number of full studentships for international students. Although international students are usually charged a higher tuition fee rate than ‘home’ students, those international students offered a NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Partnership full studentship starting in 2022 will only be charged the ‘home’ tuition fee rate (which will be covered by the studentship).
International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD. More information on this is available from the universities you are applying to (contact details are provided in the project description that you are interested in.
The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
How to apply
In order to formally apply for the PhD Project you will need to go to the following web page.
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4246
The closing date for applications is 1600 hours GMT on Friday 10th January 2022.
Interviews will be held between 28th February and 4th March 2022.
If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email [Email Address Removed] or phone: 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) or +44 (0) 1392 723044 (EU/International callers). Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor.