About the Project
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a 4-year PhD studentship within a DAFM-funded project, FASTEN (Farm Sustainability Tools for Efficient Nutrient Management).
Research Project
The potential for more diverse grassland swards to improve the sustainability of grass-based agricultural production is an area of emerging interest and great potential impact, particularly given the dominance of grass-based agriculture in Ireland. There is a need to study the environmental sustainability of these systems under actual farming practice (rotationally grazed by bovines) and their potential role in the development of climate-smart farming. This PhD project will assess the environmental sustainability and nutrient efficiency of grass swards of differing diversity, from perennial ryegrass monoculture to multispecies swards, in terms of a range of aspects: soil fertility and nutrient management, soil quality and nutrient use efficiency, soil greenhouse gas emissions, resilience to weather events, and risk of nutrient loss to water. It will involve a combination of laboratory and field experimentation, at the newly established Long-term Grazing Platform at UCD Lyons Farm, a part of the Global Farm Platform (https://globalfarmplatform.org), and at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle.
This position will be in the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science (https://www.ucd.ie/agfood/) and the UCD Earth Institute (https://www.ucd.ie/earth/), working with Dr Paul Murphy (https://people.ucd.ie/paul.murphy) and Dr Helen Sheridan (https://people.ucd.ie/helen.sheridan), and with Dr David Wall (https://www.teagasc.ie/contact/staff-directory/w/david-wall/) in the Crops, Environment, Soil and Land-use Department of Teagasc at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford.
Requirements
Applicants should have a First or Second Class Honours degree or M.Sc. in an appropriate discipline (e.g. Agricultural Science, Plant Science, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry). The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared for laboratory work and field work with modern analytical equipment. Field and laboratory experimental and analytical skills and experience are highly desirable. A good knowledge of grass-based production systems and nutrient management practices is desirable. The applicant should have a good working knowledge of English (spoken and written) and hold a full EU driving licence.
Further Information/Application Procedure
Contact: Dr. Paul Murphy, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland. Phone +353 (0)1 7167733. Email: [Email Address Removed]
To apply, submit an electronic copy of 1) your Curriculum Vitae (including names of two referees) and 2) a letter of motivation specific to this project to Dr. Paul Murphy: [Email Address Removed].
Closing date: Friday 6th March 2020 (17.00 hours GMT)
Funding Notes
Award and Doctoral Training
The student will be registered for a structured doctoral degree programme at UCD and the student's research, training and development will be guided by a Research Studies Panel. The student will also complete a number of advanced PhD-level modules, as well as professional training, which will benefit their future career. This PhD position is expected to start on 1st May 2020. The studentship funding is €24,000 per year, for 4 years, which covers a tax-free stipend paid monthly and the university registration fees (€6,000 per year for EU citizens, including UK citizens).