About the Project
We are seeking a dedicated individual interested in working as part of a collaborative project between IBERS and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to apply fundamental plant and microbial science for environmental improvement of historic mine sites. The successful applicant will investigate whether plant tolerance to stressful environments can be enhanced by association with beneficial endosymbiotic bacteria. This project extends existing research between IBERS and NRW investigating the potential of the perennial energy crops Miscanthus and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinaceae) to stabilise disused heavy metal mine spoils, by incorporating beneficial bacteria to boost plant growth and provide long term environmental benefit.
Metal mining has left a global legacy of extensive land and water pollution. Within Wales, 20% of all river quality objective failures are attributed to the impacts of abandoned mines, making them a high priority for NRW. Engineering-based remediation can be prohibitively costly and requires aftercare, so alternative solutions are sought. Metal mine spoils contain high levels of heavy metal contamination and low levels of organic matter and phytonutrients essential for plant growth. Perennial plants with tolerance to heavy metals can provide ground cover where there may have been none for centuries. Perennial root systems physically stabilise spoils, while evapotranspiration reduces water runoff, erosion, sediment transport and flooding. Leaf litter encourages soil formation. Endosymbiotic bacteria live within plants without causing disease and have been demonstrated to confer a range of benefits to the host, including plant growth promotion and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Phytoremediation has been reported to be enhanced by inoculating the plants with endosymbionts. We seek a skilled and motivated individual capable of working at the plant, microbial, and geochemical interfaces to apply beneficial endophytic bacteria and determine their impact on metal tolerance and uptake in energy crop species.
The project will be field- and lab-based. Training will be provided by IBERS and NRW in diverse areas so that the student will gain strong academic practice in plant science, microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, and geochemistry, and in academic writing for publication in leading journals. IBERS hosts the UK Miscanthus breeding programme and have recently evaluated pre-breeding varieties of reed canary grass. We also have extensive plant growth facilities including the National Plant Phenomics Centre, excellent laboratories, and next generation sequencing facilities. The student will join a group working at the academic-industrial interface producing high quality science with real world application, with an understanding of IP generation and protection.
Applicants should hold, a minimum of a first or good upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) and be available to take up the studentship by 1st October 2018. Applicants with expertise in plant physiology, practical microbiology, and/or geochemistry are particularly welcome. Driving license essential. Contact the lead- or co-supervisors Dr Kerrie Farrar ([Email Address Removed]) or Dr Elaine Jensen ([Email Address Removed]) to discuss the project, or Michelle Allen ([Email Address Removed]).
To apply, please submit the following to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (address below) by 6th September 2018:
A completed Research Programme Application Form, two references. Application and reference forms may be downloaded from http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/postgrad/howtoapply/
A completed KESS II Participant proposal form (put the reference number AU30029 in the top right hand box of the application form) and an up-to-date CV. KESS II application forms are available to download at the link below.
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/rbi/business/services/initiatives/kess/currentscholarshipvacanciesandapplicationforms/
A PhD proposal of up to 1,000 words where you expand on your experience and interests and describe why you are a good candidate for this research studentship. Please refer to the Project Description.
Value of Award: A stipend of £14,340 (rising in accordance with inflation for the remaining two years). Each scholarship has an additional budget for travel, equipment/consumables and training to support your research. KESS II PhD Scholarship holders do not pay fees.
Length: Full-time for 3 years. (Theses must be submitted 6 months after the funded three year study period.)
Training: The achievement of a Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) is compulsory for each KESS II scholar (The PSDA is based on a 60 credit award, which is an additional award to the PhD).
Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for a KESS II award, you must be resident, upon starting the scholarship, in the Convergence Area of Wales and you must be able to take paid employment in the Convergence area on completion of the scholarship.
Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Kerrie Farrar at [Email Address Removed] (01970 823000) or Dr Elaine Jensen at [Email Address Removed] (01970 823136)
Address for applications:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Recruitment & Admissions
Student Welcome Centre
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
SY23 3FB
Funding Notes
Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS 2) is a pan-Wales higher level skills initiative led by Bangor University on behalf of the HE sector in Wales. It is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.
Due to ESF funding, eligibility restrictions apply to this scholarship. To be eligible, the successful candidate will need to be resident in the Convergence Area of Wales on University registration, and must have the right to work in the region on qualification.
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