Ireland MSc and PhD Studentships

MSc and PhD Studentships,
University College Cork, Ireland.

A PhD and MSc Studentship is available at the Centre for Hydrology, Micrometeorology and Climate Change, University College Cork, Ireland. Hydromet is an international, multidisciplinary and expanding research group, seeking to recruit a number of highly qualified people for full time research assistant positions at graduate and post-doctoral level. Current positions are open until filled.

(1) PhD Studentship

Topic : Greenhouse gas fluxes in peatland forests

Duration: 4 years
Value of Studentship: Approx. €20,000 per annum (plus fees). Tax-exempt.
Closing date: open until filled

The successful applicant will investigate the affect of afforestation on the greenhouse gas balance (GHG) in blanket peatlands. The study will be based on a chrono-sequence which will include a pristine blanket peatland and at least four forest sites spanning the full rotation. Soil fluxes of CO2, CH4 and N2O will be measured using chamber techniques. Litterfall and fine root turnover will also be studied.

Further information on the research activities of the Centre is available at http://www.hydromet.org/.

For informal discussion contact: Dr. Ken Byrne ( k.byrne@ucc.ieThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Prof. Ger Kiely ( g.kiely@ucc.ieThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Candidates should submit a letter outlining their suitability for the position and a full curriculum vitae, to include the names, addresses and emails of three referees, to:
Dr. Ken Byrne,
Centre for Hydrology, Micrometeorology and Climate Change,
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University College Cork,
Ireland.
Email: k.byrne@ucc.ieThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

(2) MSc Studentship

Topic: Predicting N2O emissions under altered management and climate scenarios

Availability: From January 2008.
Term: 18 months
Stipend: €18,000 p.a. (tax free), plus fees

Post description:

This post forms part of a collaborative project between UCC and the Cork Institute of Technology to estimate the emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) from managed agricultural grasslands in Ireland under current conditions and provide predictions of future emissions. A suitably qualified graduate is required to model regional agricultural nitrous oxide emissions under a set of future scenarios based on current and projected land use and management and climate trends in Ireland. A portfolio of five scenarios reflecting ongoing and possible future changes will be identified. These will include policy developments (e.g. set-aside, REPS, Water Framework Directive implementation, CAP single payment implementation, emissions trading), climate change (elevated atmospheric CO2, changing seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns).

Work description:

Use of stochastic weather generation to simulate daily weather patterns under a number of climate change and land management scenarios.
Run models (provided by project staff) under each scenario.
Collate, analyse and interpret the model results.

Requirements:

Degree in engineering.
Well developed numerical and data management skills.
Highly motivated and able to work as part of a team.
Ability to meet strict deadlines.

Further information on the research activities of the Centre and on the position is available at http://www.hydromet.org/. For informal discussion contact Prof. Ger Kiely ( g.kiely@ucc.ieThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

To apply:

Interested candidates should submit a letter outlining their suitability for the position and their curriculum vitae, to include the names, addresses and emails of three referees, to:
Prof. Ger Kiely,
Centre for Hydrology, Micrometeorology and Climate Change,
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University College Cork,
Cork,
Ireland.
Email: g.kiely@ucc.ieThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it