[Forest-list] Two PhD Opportunities in forest gentics/tree improvement in Ireland (extended deadline)

[Charles Harper]

The UCD Forestry research group focuses on developing solutions to problems associated with changes in the economic, environmental and social context in which forestry operates. The group comprises five core and one affiliated academic staff, one research manager, two postdoctoral researchers, two research assistants, 21 PhDs and one MSc student.

Summary of the positions
The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine in Ireland has approved a new programme of research in the area of forest genetic resources, involving UCD, Coillte (the Irish Forestry Board), the National Botanic Gardens, Teagasc and several research consultants. The FORGEN programme commenced 15th December 2011 and will continue until 14th December 2015.

UCD Forestry would like to recruit two PhD candidates to conduct research in the area of physiological methods to assess the performance of different Sitka spruce improved genotypes in Ireland. The two PhD students will work on two similar projects and collaboration will be expected. 
The two projects are summarised below.
FORGEN PhD.01: The use of physiological methods to assess the performance of different Sitka spruce improved genotypes under stress and non-stress conditions in field and greenhouse trials, with a view to developing a protocol to select elite material at an early age.
FORGEN PhD.02: Investigation of physiological and morphological basis of resource allocation in Sitka spruce trees that might explain genotype performance differences at stand level. The aim of the research is to develop optimisation protocols for the deployment of improved material in the field.

Preferred Selection Criteria
BSc and MSc which together cover the following disciplines: forestry, or the biological sciences, such as genetics, plant physiology, cell biology or other closed related disciplines.  Both positions: capable of independent research and team work. Prepared to work together during parts of the research. Very good oral and written communication skills in English are mandatory. A clean driving licence is desirable. Candidates should state the preferred area of research in their application (FOREGN PhD.01 or ~.02). The tuition fee allowance is insufficient to cover non-EU fees (currently double the EU rate), so only EU citizens should apply.

We offer
Both PhD positions are available for 3.5 years. Start of the work contract is no later than 1 April 2012. The (tax-free) scholarship will be €16,000 per year and EU-level tuition fees (€5,800 in 2011/12) up to €6,000 are paid by the project. Each student will be registered for the PhD degree with University College Dublin. The research should result in the successful defence of a PhD thesis in 3.5 years. 

Application process
Indicate in your application the position for which you are applying ( FOREGN PhD.01 or ~.02) . The application deadline is 16 March 2012. We will acknowledge all applications, but we will contact only short-listed candidates. Please send your CV and a cover letter (in which you explain why you are interested in the position, why you should be selected for the position and where you saw the advert) to: Dr Conor O'Reilly by email only (conor.oreilly at ucd.ie). Enquiries for more information may be made by email (conor.oreilly at ucd.ie) or telephone (+353 1 716 7191). For more information about UCD Forestry go to http://www.ucd.ie/agfood/ucdforestry/.