PhD Studentship – Nature-based Solutions (field studies)

There are currently a number of demonstration agri-environmental schemes commencing which incorporate Nature-based Solutions (NbS) linked to farm payments. Tracking the efficacy of the NbS measures included in such schemes and subsequently quantifying the associated environmental benefits accrued will be of huge benefit to many Irish state agencies. It will allow future schemes to be designed to maximise the environmental benefits in the most cost-effective manner possible and will shape future policy in this area.

An outstanding PhD student is sought for a 4-year fully funded project with the objective of providing insight, tools and guidance on the most cost-effective approach to protect water quality & aquatic habitats in different Irish agricultural settings using Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The post is primarily focused on field studies and associated laboratory analysis. The successful student will instrument and monitor a number of NbS measures, prior to and after construction, within agri-environmental schemes across a range of farm and soil settings in order to assess associated water quality improvements, flow regulation and/or other associated benefits. This will allow an assessment to be made on their impact on wider water quality & aquatic ecosystems.  Monitoring undertaken by the student will include: hydrology (flow), nutrients, organics, suspended sediment, trace elements and microbiological quality.  The study sites will be located in the south and west of Ireland (Munster and Connaught).

This PhD studentship will form part of a larger EPA project entitled AgEValuate which will comprise a team of 3 PhD researchers.

This PhD post will commence by the latest date of April 1st 2024.

Standard Duties and Responsibilities of the Post

• Undertaking desk studies, data analysis, report writing, GIS analysis & drafting academic journal papers.
• Completing field studies (incl. hydrology etc.).
• Instrumenting field study sites.
• Liaising with sub-contractors.
• Retrieving water samples from the field.
• Completing laboratory analysis for water samples (chemical, microbial etc.)
• Performing other tasks associated with the post as they arise.

Please see full job description for full application procedure.

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