Dr L Trakal, Prof Miroslav Svoboda, Assoc Prof Michael Pohorely
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
The use of infested wood by bark beetle as a source for the production of biochar and its subsequent re-use in the context of drought solution during newly established forest nurseries and clear-cuts
The aim of the topic is the rational re-use of ever-increasing infested wood in the utilization of this waste material (including on-time prevention against infestation by bark beetle) to a stable form of organic matter, i.e. biochar, by high-temperature pyrolysis. This product will then be used in the soil to increase its retention capacity, especially when setting up new forest nurseries. Within this topic, the produced biochar will be at first tested using a pot experiment, which will simulate drought (lack of watering) and will not only monitor soil moisture (using sensors) but also the physiological properties of tested seedlings including various analyses (e.g. stress factors). Subsequently, planting will also be carried out as part of a field experiment.
Background and Obligations of Ph.D. student:
• Four-year study; time flexibility; active participation at international conferences
• Publication activity1 (at least 1 publication in the journal with IF2 as first author during study)
• Pedagogical activities3 (practices at Environmental Hydrogeology, Field Practice for EGS, consultations on bachelor and diploma theses related to this subject)
• Obligation to complete a 4-week international internship within this topic
• Scholarship (average CZK 11,300 per month); possibility to get an internal faculty project up to 3 years (increase of scholarship by 60,000 CZK per year); obtaining extraordinary scholarships (for extra-standard publishing activity or pedagogical practices4)
• Salary: approx. 20,000 CZK/month net (800 EUR) + bonuses
Required documents for the application (send to [Email Address Removed]):
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Academic letter of recommendation (by your supervisor)
- Diploma + Diploma supplement (Transcript of records)
Funding Notes
1 In the case of above-standard publishing activities (at least 3 publications) the possibility of writing a dissertation in the form of an annotated work
2 Publication with impact factor according to Web of Science
3 The scholarship is gradually increasing along with the fulfilled obligations of the PhD student (9,300 - 13,000 CZK)
4 Teaching activity over 192 teaching hours until the end of the 3rd year of study
References
Note that this is just a pre-selection. The selected candidate will be invited to submit official application to the Faculty of Environmental Sciences.
Submitted project H2020: Circular economical recovery of mineral nutrients, production of novel bio-based fertilisers from by-products and value chain demonstrations “BIO-CIRC” (2020 – 2024)
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