One Funded PhD Studentship: Is soil carbon sequestration possible in a changing climate?

PhD Opportunity Title: Is soil carbon sequestration possible in a changing climate?

Academic Supervisors:

Prof. Iain Hartley, University of Exeter

Dr Nina Friggens, University of Exeter

Dr Kees Jan van Groenigen, University of Exeter

Location: Geography, Streatham Campus, Exeter  

The University of Exeter’s Department of Geography is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully-funded by Shell to commence on 25 September 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. The student would be based in Geography at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.  

Background:

If carbon from the atmosphere is sequestered and stored in soils will it stay there? What happens to it as global temperatures rise or during extreme climate events?

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are considered an important tool in the fight against climate change, with schemes increasingly focusing on the potential for enhanced carbon storage in soils. However, for such solutions to be effective, they must ensure long-term carbon storage. The aim of this PhD is to work with a Shell-funded research project Carbon Storage in Pasture through Ecological Restoration (CASPER), to evaluate the stability of the carbon sequestered under different NbS options by simulating changes in soil management or shifts in climatic conditions. The PhD will use state-of-the art facilities for measuring greenhouse gas fluxes, and carbon and nutrient dynamics in soils to evaluate:

For further details please see the advert on the University of Exeter website.

Entry requirements:

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the required level (Profile B) as per our guidance at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/ .

For eligible students the studentship will cover international tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £17,668 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.

How to apply:

In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents. 

• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. You are not required to obtain references yourself. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 13th March 2023 GMT. Interviews will be held virtually / on the University of Exeter Streatham Campus in April 2023.

If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email [email protected] or phone 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) +44 (0) 1392 725150 (EU/International callers). Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor.