Plant diversity and pollination services in agri-ecosystems A PhD studentship is available as part of a=20 Department of Agriculture and Food funded project=20 investigating "Precision pasture management:=20 impacts on weed control and implications for=20 biodiversity". Intensive use of agrochemicals is=20 thought to pose a serious threat to biodiversity.=20 This project will examine grassland biodiversity,=20 both within the sward and at the field-margins=20 and will quantify the impacts of novel weed control techniques.
The successful applicant will receive a=20 scholarship award of =8017,000 per year. In=20 addition, full tuition fees will be paid for=20 students from the EU. Applications are welcomed=20 from non-EU students, but they would be required to pay higher levels of= fees. Applicants must have (or expect to get) a first=20 or upper second class Bachelors, or Masters,=20 degree in a biological science (Biology, Ecology,=20 Environmental Sciences or similar). Previous=20 experience in carrying out biological field=20 surveys of higher plants would be advantageous,=20 and competence in statistical analysis is highly=20 desirable. Candidates should be enthusiastic,=20 highly motivated, and willing and physically able=20 to undertake extended periods of fieldwork. In=20 addition, applicants must be competent in written=20 and spoken English, and hold a full, clean driving licence. The project will be supervised by Drs Jane Stout=20 and Daniel Kelly at Trinity College Dublin and=20 will run in collaboration with researchers at=20 Teagasc Agricultural Research Centres (Moorepark,=20 Co. Cork & Oakpark, Co. Carlow) and University=20 College Dublin (UCD). The successful candidate=20 will be based in the Botany Department at Trinity=20 College (www.tcd.ie), in the heart of Dublin. Please apply by sending a letter, outlining your=20 suitability for the post, and your full=20 curriculum vitae, containing the names and=20 contact details (address, telephone, e-mail and=20 fax) of three referees, to Dr Jane Stout (Botany=20 Department, University of Dublin, Trinity=20 College, Dublin 2, Ireland; E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]). Deadline for applications is 30th November 2007.=20 Start date is anticipated to be January 1st 2008.
