UK : PhD Studentship Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Legume-based Systems Scottish Agricultural College

Scottish Agricultural College and University of Edinburgh

It is well established that legume crops could play a key role in sustainable cropping systems. They contribute more to the farming system than simply the harvested part: they fix atmospheric nitrogen into forms available for plant metabolism, they break the cycles of diseases that attack the major cereal crops, and they can replace other food, feed, fibre and fuel crop products that are imported from other continents. Nevertheless, they are under-represented in European agriculture, and this research aims to remedy this situation. The consequences of growing a range of legume crops will be systematically quantified agronomically, ecologically and economically in order that an optimum usage of legumes can be defined for each of the major European agricultural zones. The basis of the PhD will be to understand and extrapolate to an EU scale using dynamic and deterministic modelling techniques that measure greenhouse gas emissions from legume rotations.

This postgraduate position is for three years, with a proposed start date of September 2010, ending September 2013.

The successful candidate must have or expect to obtain a minimum of an upper second class degree in a scientific discipline from a UK University or equivalent. They should ideally have demonstrated ability in using biological models, statistical techniques, an understanding of soil processes, and be familiar with computer software and data handling packages. Oral and writing skills in English are required to a high standard. A clean and valid European driving license is desirable.

The studentship offers a stipend of £13290 per annum. The full award (stipend and fees) is available to EU Citizens only, however, non-EU students will be considered. The student will be based at the SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG.

Application packs are available from Frances Stratford (frances.stratford@sac.ac.uk) quoting reference SAC/52740019/Topp .

For further particulars or to have an informal discussion about this studentship, contact Dr Kairsty Topp, kairsty.topp@sac.ac.uk (0131 535 4026) or Dr Bob Rees Bob.rees@sac.ac.uk

(0131 535 4365) SAC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG.

Closing date for the return of applications is 12 noon on 27 July 2010.