PhD Study : Soil carbon sequestration: monitoring and evaluation

Apply and key information  

Summary

Improved management of soil organic carbon content is fundamental for tackling climate change and food insecurity. Increasing soil carbon storage through a rise in soil organic carbon capture (SOC) has been promoted globally. Therefore, research is required for constant assessment and evaluation of SOC and addressing knowledge gaps relating to SOC in various environmental and climatic settings. This research aims to improve our knowledge and understanding of soil organic carbon capture at regional, national and international levels.

Key research questions  
1- How does SOC vary in lands within different zonal landscapes?
2- How can we develop a reliable and quick field/satellite imagery assessment of SOC?
3- What is the pattern of SOC variations across different climatic and altitude settings?
Numerous measures and techniques for measuring soil carbon stocks have been proposed. This PhD project seeks novel approaches to assess soil organic carbon capture across various landscapes. It will encompass the assessment of variations in SOC in different zonal landscapes, develop a reliable and quick field/satellite imagery assessment of SOC, and the pattern of SOC variations across different climatic and altitude settings.

The project will involve field surveys with soil sampling, laboratory tests for assessing soil properties as well as acquisition and analysis of high resolution satellite imagery.
A driving licence valid for driving in the UK, physical ability to conduct fieldwork under challenging conditions and general experience in laboratory analysis and basic statistics are essential applicant requirements for this project. Some experience with geographic information systems and remote sensing would be desirable.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
  • A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
  • Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Work experience relevant to the proposed project
  • Publications record appropriate to career stage
  • Experience of presentation of research findings
  • Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

Recommended reading

1- FAO & ITPS, 2015. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils. Status of the World’s Soil Resources

2- Lal R (2020). Managing soils for negative feedback to climate change and positive impact on food and nutritional security. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 66:1, 1-9, DOI:10.1080/00380768.2020.1718548

3- Rumpel C et al. (2020). The 4p1000 Initiative: Opportunities, limitations and challenges for implementing soil organic sequestration as a sustainable development strategy. Ambio 49 (1): 350-360; doi.10.1007/s13280-019-01165-2

4- Rumpel C et al. (2018). Put more carbon in soils to meet Paris climate pledges. Nature 564: 32-34.

5- Sandermann J et al (2017) Soil carbon debt of 12,000 years of human land use. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 114:9575–9580 10.1073/pnas.1706103114.

6- Soussana, JF, et al. (2019). Matching policy and science: Rationale for the ‘‘4 per 1000 - soils for food security and climate’’ initiative. Soil and Tillage Research 188: 3–15.

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 6 February 2023
04:00PM

Interview Date
Week commencing 20 March 2023

Preferred student start date
18th September 2023

Applying

Apply Online  

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