One Funded PhD Studentship: Understanding the role of soil legacy effects in successfully restoring native vegetation in Brazil's tropical savannas

Project Title: Understanding the role of soil legacy effects in successfully restoring native vegetation in Brazil’s tropical savannas

Academic Supervisors:

Dr Lucy Rowland, University of Exeter

Prof. Rafael Oliveira, State University of Campinas

Dr Fernanda Barros, University of Exeter

Dr Richard Tennant, 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. 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.  The student would be based in Geography at the Streatham Campus in Exeter, but will also spend significant time in the field working with partners in Brazil.

Background:

Degraded pastures within Brazil are optimal areas for restoration using native plants as a nature-based solution to increase biodiversity and carbon storage. The aim of this PhD is to work with a Shell funded research project Carbon Storage in Pasture through Ecological Restoration (CASPER), focused on understanding the soil legacy effects of exotic pasture grasses on native Cerrado soils. This PhD will involve setting up pot and field experiments within the Brazilian Cerrado, a key global biodiversity hotspot. These experiments will be targeted at testing:

For further details please see the advert on the University 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 . Language tests do not need to be undertaken prior to application, only post-offer. Furthermore, the applicant must also have Portuguese language skills (written and spoken).

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 February 2023 GMT. Interviews will be held virtually / on the University of Exeter Streatham Campus in March 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.