PhD Scholarship: Peatland Conservation and Restoration 1496 views

A Doctoral (PhD) Scholarship is available for three years (with the possibility of extension) in Peatland Conservation and Restoration Research Project within the discipline of Geography at National University of Ireland Galway and a one-year stay at University College Dublin.

About the project:

• This PhD research will be in cooperation with an INTERREG NWE funded project, Care-Peat that will demonstrate innovative technologies that achieve net emissions savings from novel restoration and carbon-accounting techniques and at developing new policies and methods for managing and monitoring carbon reduction from peatlands.
• It involves collaborators from the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands and the successful candidate will be able to develop professional networks with leading academic and professional organisations.
• The project will monitor and follow peatland restoration activities in the Irish midland regions.
• The candidate will be required to measure greenhouse gas emissions from intact and degraded areas, link these emissions to aerial imagery, help coordinate volunteer citizen groups to assist in restoration efforts, and assist with new trials demonstrating rewetting techniques in degraded bogs.
• The ability to identify and map peatland flora/biotopes is requires highly desired.

Requirements:

• Applicant must hold Master’s degree (with a first-class or 2:1 grade) in a relevant discipline viz., Environmental Science, Conservation, Botany, Earth or Physical Sciences, or similar degree).
• Demonstrated GIS experience and data management skills with the ability to perform spatial analysis.
• Ability and experience identifying and mapping peatland (or similar) habitats and experience with field monitoring and data collection.
• Full-Irish or EU driver’s license.
• Experience with greenhouse gas sampling and analysis.
• Computer literacy in data management, data manipulation, and statistical analysis (knowledge of the R programming language preferred).
• Understanding of EU directives and policies and national legislation regarding natural areas.