Dr Sandrine Petit, Dr S Cordeau
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Given the need to reduce herbicide use in agriculture, it is crucial to identify cropping systems and their spatial arrangement in the landscape that deliver sustainable weed management, i.e. weed management that uses little herbicide and sustain weed communities that do not threaten crop production and maximise ecosystem services provided by weeds (i.e. enhanced biological control through the provision of trophic resources (weed seeds) to natural enemies, enhanced pollination through the provision of floral resources, enhanced biodiversity).
This PhD project will evaluate synergies and antagonisms between weed (dis)services and herbicide use at multiple spatial (field to landscape) and temporal (annual to pluri-annual) scales within a small (1000ha) cereal-growing territory in Burgundy. This study area is being monitored annually since 2008 with weed surveys (core of the field and field margin) and farmers’ interviews documenting farming practices. Weed dis(services) provided by observed weed communities will be quantified using plant trait-based indicators. The second objective of the project is to identify sets of farming practices and their spatial organization in the agricultural landscape (management strategies) that deliver interesting panels of weed (dis)services while limiting herbicide use. Beside the analyses of existing data required to adresse these questions, the PhD student will be involved in data collection in 2018 and 2019.
Applicants should have a background in community ecology and agronomy. The project will involve data analyses and experience and skills in this area are required. A willingness and enthusiasm for conducting fieldwork is also expected. Previous experience working with plant species would be an advantage. The applicant should have a proven ability to work independently, as well as be able to contribute as part of a research team. Candidates are not required to speak french but should be fluent in english.
Please Note that under french university rules, PhD should be completed within 3 years.
This 3-year PhD grant is funded by the EcoServ Metaprogram from INRA and the European H2020 project IWMPRAISE ‘Integrated Weed Management: Practical Implementation and Solutions for Europe’(http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/210490_fr.html)
The PhD student will be hosted within the ‘Sustainable Weed Management’ Department of the Agroecology Lab, Dijon, France https://www6.dijon.inra.fr/umragroecologie_eng/DEPARTMENTS/Sustainable-Weed-Management-Department-GESTAD
Funding Notes
Scholarship applications for candidates are due by 20th October 2017, and a starting date at INRA Dijon early January 2018. This Scholarship is available to both domestic and international students.
To apply or enquire, please email Dr Sandrine Petit-Michaut with a statement of your background and interest in the project, Curriculum Vitae, and a copy of your undergraduate academic transcripts. You should also include the contact details of two referees who are able to speak about your suitability for this position.
Email: [Email Address Removed]
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