Ancient woodlands provide some of Great Britain’s most biodiverse and culturally significant habitats. Current planning policy aims to protect these ‘irreplaceable’ habitats from the direct and indirect impacts of nearby development. But how do multiple development-associated pressures vary and interact in different situations, landscapes and climates, and how can we manage against the negative impacts in these diverse contexts?
This exciting PhD project sits at the heart of a larger, Defra-funded project involving a joint interdisciplinary team of landscape ecologists, social scientists, forest ecologists and planning/policy experts from the University of Reading, Forest Research, Forestry Commission England and Natural England. This team will share expert knowledge with the PhD student to steer research excellence to an applied end.
During this 3.5-year project, the student will have the opportunity to conduct ecological fieldwork and to gain experience working at the science-policy interface. Their work will deliver evidence to underpin future policy, practice, and industry guidance critical to safeguarding ancient woodlands whilst supporting responsible development and woodland use.
The University of Reading is a welcoming community for people of all faiths and cultures. You will be joining a vibrant community of ~180 PhD students representing ~40 nationalities. The student will also have the option to work full- or part-time from FR offices in Edinburgh or Farnham.
For more information, see: link to FindAPhd ad.
Eligibility:
With a commitment to improving diversity in the biosciences we encourage applications from underrepresented groups. Applicants should preferably hold an MSc in a relevant subject and at minimum an upper 2nd class degree or equivalent in a biological or conservation-science related subject. Experience in R coding and a valid UK driving licence would be advantageous. Open to UK/Republic of Ireland applicants ONLY.
Funding Details:
- Starts February 2023
- This is a 3.5 year Nature for Climate Fund studentship funded by DEFRA and supported by Forest Research, the Forestry Commission and Natural England. The PhD scholarship will cover: 1) A maintenance grant of approximately £17,668 per year (aligned with UKRI rates); 2) A research training support grant; 3) Full tuition fee at UK student rates and 4) Fieldwork equipment, travel and subsistence budget.
How to apply:
To apply click “Apply for a Programme ”, to create your account, and use the link sent by email to start the application process. During the application process please select the PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Please quote reference GS22-133 in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box in the Funding Section of your application.
- When you are prompted by the online application system to upload a research proposal, please omit this step.
Application Deadline: 6th January 2023
Further Enquiries:
Please note that, where a candidate is successful in being awarded funding, this will be confirmed via a formal studentship award letter; this will be provided separately from any Offer of Admission and will be subject to standard checks for eligibility and other criteria.
For further details please contact Dr. Becks Spake: [email protected]
[CB1] @Christine – I presume this is not needed from findaphd ad: Submit an application for a PhD in Biological Sciences [CB1] [CB1] : http://www.reading.ac.uk/pgapply