PhD – Understanding the impact of landscape processes on mapping soils in Ireland
Cranfield Academic Supervisors: Dr Thomas Mayr and Dr Ron Corstanje
Teagasc Academic Supervisors: Dr Reamonn Fealy and Dr Rachel Creamer
Duration: 3 years
Supported by the Walsh Fellowship, a studentship of up to £17,900 p.a. for 3 years including fees* is available
Cranfield University has an exciting research opportunity for a highly motivated graduate to be involved in a project on the characterisation and mapping of soils in the Irish landscape.
The mapping of soil properties and their spatial visualization across a landscape is increasingly a key tool in understanding and mitigation the effect of environmental change. It can also be used to create maps of agricultural or environmental interest, such as soil nutrient status, hydrological response, pH or carbon content.
Our ability to map soils depends on understanding the effect of the predominant natural and anthropogenic processes on soil formation. For example, the spatial patterns in soil pH may be determined largely by the underlying geology if we visualize this across a region, but exhibit local patterns in fields due to differences in land use and land management. The objective of this project is to understand the effect that these processes have on our ability to map soils.
The PhD studentship will also benefit from the work conducted in a wider project; the Irish Soil Information System (ISIS). This project aims to complete a soil map for Ireland on a 1:250,000 scale using, in addition to traditional soil survey techniques, spatial visualization of soil properties from landscape characteristics. The candidate will therefore join an experienced team and benefit from access to wide range of existing expertise in mapping soils.
This studentship is funded by Teagasc, the Irish Agricultural and Food Development Authority, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford, Ireland as part of a broader collaborative agreement with the Natural Resource Department, Cranfield University. Students will register for a PhD programme at Cranfield and will be supervised by staff from both organisations. Work will be carried out at both institutions with the split between Johnstown Castle and Cranfield based on the needs of the project.
Closing Date: 1st October 2009?
Start date: 1st September 2009?
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a first or upper second class UK honours degree or equivalent or MSc in a related subject. A background in environmental science and mathematics or statistics would be advantageous.
Funding
*Support by the Teagasc Walsh Fellowship, this studentship will cover the tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only. Applicants are also eligible for a bursary of up to £17,900 p.a. for three years dependent upon qualifications and experience.
How to apply
In addition to your CV, please complete the application form at: www.cranfield.ac.uk/prospectus/app/pgappform.pdf
Alternatively, for more information and an application form please contact:
School of Applied Sciences
T: 44 (0)1234 754086
E:
appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk
W:
www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/studentships?id=nsfap
Keywords: Soil Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Spatial Statistics, Digital Soil Mapping
