Sensing soil quality using optical sensing techniques in headland crop management
Background Minimising soil compaction and maintaining soil structural quality can positively impact on crop establishment and yields, and assessing soil structural characteristics at headlands can assist in determining the impact of traffic and non-traffic on soil quality and crop yields. Soil structural properties such as bulk density, particle size and soil moisture are often time consuming and expensive, using conventional laboratory techniques and soil spectroscopy has recently been reported as an emerging technology in soil testing and monitoring that has replaced many extractive and digestive laboratory methods of soil physical and chemical analysis. This Ph.D. will build spectral calibration models in FTIR using chemometric methods to predict soil physical and chemical attributes that will inform soil quality for precision headland crop management and work within a project team working across a network of sites assessing the impact of controlled traffic on soil structural properties at headlands and in-field. This Ph.D. will collect and interpret spectral data across a range of sites varying in soil texture and structural quality and build calibration models to predict multiple soil attributes. In this work, optimising soil spectroscopic techniques using hand-held instrumentation will be explored. A spatial component to this work will involve geostatistical methods to capture in-field variation in soil properties and combine this knowledge with portable spectroscopic analysis. Requirements Applicants should have a good primary degree (First or Second Class Honours) or M.Sc. in an appropriate discipline (Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, etc.). Experience in statistical methods and laboratory skills are desirable. The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared for laboratory work and extended periods of field work with modern analytical equipment. A full EU driving licence is also required. This fellowship is open to EU citizens only. Award The PhD Fellowship is a joint research project between Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and NUI Galway. The student will be based, at the Teagasc Research Centre at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford and will be registered at NUI Galway, working under the supervision of Drs. Karen Daly and Chaosheng Zhang. The fellowship provides a stipend of €22,000. University fees are paid by the student from the stipend which is tenable for 4 years. It is envisaged that this project will start April/May 2016. Further Information/Applications Dr Karen Daly, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Republic of Ireland Phone +353 (0)53 9171283 email: [email protected] Dr Chaosheng Zhang, NUI Galway Phone +353 91 492375 email: [email protected] Application Procedure Submit an electronic copy of Curriculum Vitae and a letter of interest simultaneously to: Dr Karen Daly [email protected] and Dr Chaosheng Zhang [email protected] Closing date : 18th March 2016.
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NUI Galway Climate Congress 2016
Climate Change and Ireland Invitation for postgraduate and early stage researcher presentations Enlighten us, but make it quick. Following its successful launch in 2015, the 2nd annual NUI Galway Climate Congress takes place on Tuesday, April 5th in Áras na MacLéinn, NUI Galway. This year’s theme is “Climate Change and Ireland” and will feature three prominent speakers: Prof. Peadar Kirby (University of Limerick) Emer Cosgrove (Climate Talk Ireland) James Nix (Green Budget Europe) In addition to our expert speakers, this year we are hosting a competition for postgraduate and early stage researchers to showcase their research. Instead of a boring poster or long, drawn-out talk we want you to give an Ignite talk. What is an Ignite talk? An Ignite talk consists of 20 slides The slides automatically advance every 15 seconds Meaning you have 5 minutes to present your research The theme for the Ignite talk is “New voices in Climate Change research”. Tell us about your research, enlighten us, but make it quick. See http://www.ignitetalks.io/ for inspiration. The prize for the best talk will be a certificate of your achievement plus €100! If you wish to enter please send a brief outline of your research plus the topic of your presentation to [email protected]. The deadline for submission is 08/03/16 and applicants will be notified of their acceptance on 15/03/16. Eventbrite link: http://tinyurl.com/htzvxmx Coverage of last year’s congress: http://tinyurl.com/j9jw4x2 The Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) society of NUIG is a student society with the goal of taking action in the face of anthropogenic climate change. The society is closely linked with the CCAFS research platform, which sees scientist, professionals, policy makers, and communities working in concert to adapt to climate change. https://www.facebook.com/CCAFSsocietyNUIG/ Two JobBridge Internships in Ecology and Scientific Writing, closing date: 25/02/2016 Please see details below:
Ecology Research Assistant Internship (Ref. INTE-1012156) Employer: UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Location: Belfield, Dublin 4 Job Type: JobBridge Internship Contract Duration (if applicable): 9 months Salary (if disclosed): As per the JobBridge Scheme Closing Date: 25/02/2016 The intern will gain practical experience in the field of agricultural ecological research. The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following: fieldwork, plant identification, scientific writing, and data analysis. Interns will be encouraged to network within UCD for future collaborations, such as Master’s, PhD or Postdoc proposals. While completing the internship candidates will have access to formal training courses for UCD staff to suit their personal career progression. On completion the intern will have attained skills inresearch, including plant identification, analytical ecological field and laboratory work, scientific writing, literature review, and data analysis. Skills: The intern will be interested in developing their knowledge of the ecology, as well as have a keen interest in pursuing a career in research. The successful applicant will have: Third or fourth level degree in agriculture, ecology, environmental sciences, botany, zoology, or a related subject. A high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Good IT skills. A keen interest in ecology. The ability to work on their own or as part of a team. Education required: Third level degree: An Ordinary or Honours level degree with a background in agriculture, ecology, environmental sciences, botany, zoology, or a related subject. Candidates with degrees at Master’s or PhD level are welcome to apply. How to apply: Please send a CV & covering letter outlining why you are interested in this internship to [email protected] in a single PDF document. Title your email: Research Internship. Closing date is 25/02/2016. Interviews to be held in UCD the following week. Please contact Dr. Rochelle Fritch, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science. Tel: 01 716 7093 for queries about this internship. ScientificWriting Research Assistant Internship (Ref. INTE-1012158) Employer: UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science Location: Belfield, Dublin 4 Job Type: JobBridge Internship Contract Duration (if applicable): 9 months Salary (if disclosed): As per the JobBridge Scheme Closing Date: 25/02/2016 The intern will gain practical experience in systematic review and scientific writing in the field of ecological research. The intern will receive formal/informal training in the following: design of systematic review, scientific writing, and data analysis. Interns will be encouraged to network within UCD for future collaborations, such as Master’s, PhD or Postdoc proposals. While completing the internship candidates will have access to formal training courses for UCD staff to suit their personal career progression. On completion the intern will have attained skills in designing a systematic review, scientific writing and data analysis. Skills: The intern will be interested in developing their knowledge of the ecology, as well as have a keen interest in pursuing a career in research. The successful applicant will have: Third or fourth level degree in ecology, botany, environmental research, agriculture or a related subject. A high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Good IT skills. A keen interest in ecology. The ability to work on their own or as part of a team. Education: Third level degree: An Honours level degree with a background in ecology, botany, environmental research, agriculture or a related subject. Candidates with degrees at Master’s or PhD level are welcome to apply. How to apply: Please send a CV & covering letter outlining why you are interested in this internship to [email protected] in a single PDF document. Title your email: Scientific Writing Internship. Closing date is 25/02/2016. Interviews to be held in UCD the following week. Please contact Dr. Rochelle Fritch, [email protected], Tel: 01 716 7093 for queries about this internship. Two Berths Available on R/V POLARSTERN in June 2016 for Students If you are a European postraduate student in marine sciences this is your opportunity to pursue your research onboard the Research Vessel the POLARSTERNThe EUROFLEETS Research Survey Access Programme call is open.
As part of this 2 berths are available on board the R/V POLARSTERN for European postgraduate students (Masters and Doctoral) involved in marine related sciences to participate in the EUROFLEETS 2 BURSTER research survey. The berths are available on the cruise taking place from 13th to 23rd June 2016, leaving from Bremerhaven and ending in Longyearbyen (Svalbard). Applications must be made online by Monday March 7th at 18:00hrs(CET). Details on the cruise and how to apply can be found here Postdoctoral Researcher
Earth & Ocean Sciences/Ryan Institute College of Science Ref. No. NUIG 006-16 Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time, fixed-term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher within the School of Natural Sciences (Earth & Ocean Sciences & Ryan Institute) at the National University of Ireland, Galway. This position is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and is available from the 1st March 2016 to 28th February 2018. About the post: Macroalgal blooms are a widespread ecological phenomenon in which algal species such as species of the green algal genus Ulva, brown ectocarpoid algae, and other algal species can proliferate in freshwater, estuarine and coastal systems. Such blooms have been occurring in increasing magnitude and frequency in temperate and tropical regions around the world. These seaweeds can thrive to such an extent that they become a social and environmental problem, forming dense mats or drifts in amenity areas. Further research is required to understand the complex taxonomic and environmental parameters controlling blooms, together with competition for nutrients from phytoplankton communities in order to obtain a more complete scientific analysis suitable for interpretation by water/nutrient management strategies. Job Description: The successful candidate will be responsible for development and implementation of analytical methods for the better understanding of the local environmental conditions that result in the development of opportunistic macroalgal blooms.The successful candidate will be expected in interact with project partners at Teagasc and the Ryan Institute (NUI Galway), and should have the ability to work across disciplines where necessary. The candidate will be expected to disseminate the research findings in international peer-reviewed journals, at appropriate academic conferences in collaboration with project researchers and to make recommendations on implementation of the management protocols for macroalgal blooms. Duties: The successful candidate, while contributing to overall project management, will be responsible for:
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Desirable
Salary: €37,750 per annum Start date: Position is available from 1st March 2016 Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Dr Liam Morrison via e-mail [email protected] To Apply: Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to[email protected] Please put reference number NUIG 006-16 in subject line of e-mail application. Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00pm on Friday 26th March 2016. National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer. |
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