Prof A Jump, Dr S Cavers, Dr David Odee, Dr Chris Kettle
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to undertake research focussing on understanding adaptive genetic diversity to underpin management decision making for East African tropical tree species.
In common with many tropical regions, East Africa is experiencing a rapid loss of forest cover. New knowledge and approaches are urgently needed to support conservation and management of indigenous tree species. A key part of this strategy is characterisation of the extent and spatial distribution of genetic diversity within species.
Across their distributions tree species are adapted to local environments to varying extents, producing spatially organised patterns of adaptive genetic variation. This ‘gene pool’ constitutes a resource that is essential for the persistence of the species, valuable for the restoration of degraded populations and potentially useful for improvement and breeding. However, for the vast majority of these species, little or nothing is known about adaptive genetic diversity.
Given the scale of the task, it is impossible to evaluate patterns of adaptive genetic diversity in all threatened tree species. Consequently, proxy metrics for adaptive variation are used, such as multivariate climatic variation or potential natural vegetation, to attempt to predict where adaptive diversity is likely to lie. However, it is not yet clear how effective such proxies are for most species, and so empirical testing of adaptive genetic variation via common garden or provenance testing experiments are needed.
This project will evaluate the extent to which adaptive variation, as assessed in experimental trials, reflects forecasts of adaptive diversity made using a range of proxy approaches. The project will require fieldwork in tropical East Africa and is likely to suit candidates with a keen interest in conservation, evolutionary biology and the developing world.
The project will combine field data with laboratory-based genetic analysis and existing databases. Spatial datasets on climate, soils, topography and vegetation will be used to assess patterns of geographic variation. These patterns will be overlaid with distribution data to forecast patterns of adaptive variation in the focal tree species. In parallel, the project will identify phenotypic traits of the tree species likely to be of adaptive significance in different life history dimensions, such as growth, physiology, defence and reproduction, and evaluate extent and patterns of variation through measurement in existing experimental trials. Analysis of trait data will make use of mixed models to evaluate components of variation. Finally, as an understanding of the extent to which distinct adaptive ‘units’ within species are connected by gene dispersal is important to their effective management the project may also undertake marker-based population genetic analysis of the source populations.
This highly international project will be undertaken in collaboration with Dr David Odee, from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) who has many years of experience working on the genetics of East African trees and Dr Chris Kettle, who leads on Forest Genetic Resources and Restoration for Bioversity International. KEFRI and Bioversity International deliver scientific evidence, management practices and policy options to use and safeguard agricultural and tree biodiversity and will lead on transfer of project findings into agroforestry policy and guidance at local and regional scales. The successful applicant will work closely with KEFRI when in Kenya and will undertake a policy training stay at Bioversity International. The student will, therefore, benefit from outstanding opportunities for in-country knowledge, supervision and support via Dr Odee and direct experience in transferring findings into management via both organisations.
Applicants for this project must have a first class or upper second class Honours degree and/or a relevant postgraduate degree, in either biological/environmental sciences, ecology or related disciplines.
Funding Notes
This is a competitively funded PhD studentship as part of the NERC Doctoral Training Partnership IAPETUS (http://www.iapetus.ac.uk/). For the successful candidate, the studentship will cover tuition fees and provide a stipend for UK students only (but see NERC funding rules for exceptions regarding EU citizens).
More details at: http://www.iapetus.ac.uk/iap2-18-64-quantifying-adaptive-genetic-variation-for-the-conservation-and-management-of-east-african-tropical-trees/
References
Serious applicants are MUST get in touch well in advance of the deadline to discuss their application. Please send a CV and cover letter setting out your motivation and suitability for the project to a.s.jump@stir.ac.uk no later 7th January 2019 to discuss submitting a full application. Informal enquiries are encouraged before this date.
By Jan 18th 2019, invited applicants must have submitted a formal application through the Stirling University online application system: https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/how-to-apply-for-our-research-degrees/
Successful candidates will be expected to start their programme of research in October 2019.