[Forest-list] Masters Scholarships in Dublin, Ireland

[Charles Harper]

UCD Forestry
University College Dublin, Ireland
Masters Scholarships (re-advertisement)

FastForests Project – Impacts of faster growing forests on raw material
properties with consideration of the potential effects of a changing
climate on species choice

The aims of FastForests are to:
(i) identify ways of protecting future wood supplies under a changing
climate,
(ii) improve raw material allocation approaches and increase efficiency of
wood utilisation, and
(iii) ascertain societal and stakeholder perceptions of faster-growing
forests and their products.

FastForests is a multidisciplinary collaboration between UCD and NUI Galway
in Ireland and several other institutions based in France and Germany. The
research in Ireland is being funded from 2014-2017 by the Department of
Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Two Masters projects will be funded as part of this research, as follows:
MSc 1. The potential impact of forest intensification on the quality of
timber and its end use. The student will assess the wood quality of trees
prior to mill processing in stands that differ in the level of
intensification applied. The post-processing wood quality attributes will
be assessed in a separate study carried out by NUIG.
MSc 2.The potential impact of forest intensification on forest productivity
and wood mobilisation under different climate change scenarios.
The student will analyse forest productivity, using existing growth and
yield models, for alternative species and provenance choices, and
silviculture and forest management systems.
Target tree sizes and quality classes, as required by industry, will guide
the intensification trajectories. Ecological Site Classification software
will be used to assess species suitability and productivity under climate
change scenarios.

Applications are sought from highly motivated individuals who have an
excellent academic record (preferably a first class primary degree or
equivalent) in forestry (both posts), wood science (MSc 1), mathematics
(MSc 2) or closely related disciplines.

Support will also be required for reporting to the funding agency, DAFM,
participation in the preparation of publications, and presentation of
research at scientific meetings, as required by the senior researchers on
the project, though these activities will be a minor component of the work.

The Masters Scholarship will be €22,000 per annum for two years. The study
will commence as soon as possible. After tuition fees have been deducted
(€6,000 for EU students in 2014/15), the remainder of the scholarship will
be paid as a tax-free stipend.

Because of a significant requirement for field sampling, it will be
necessary for the candidate to have a full driving licence.

Applicants should submit, by email, indicating the post for which they are
applying, a letter outlining why they are interested in the research topic,
their suitability for the position, a full curriculum vitae (including the
names, addresses and emails of two referees) to: Dr Conor O’Reilly (
conor.oreilly at ucd.ie). Please also indicate where you first saw this post
advertised.

Closing date: These positions will remain open until filled


Charles Harper
Research Manager
UCD Forestry
University College Dublin
T: +35317167358
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