[Forest-list] Masters scholarship, Dublin - Economic and Environmental Mapping of Cascade Use of Wood

[Charles Harper]

Postgraduate Scholarship Available

Project Title: Economic and Environmental Mapping of Cascade Use of Wood
[CASWOOD]

Description:
Previous models of carbon storage in forest ecosystems and harvested wood
products have
developed independently, as have data on biomass and economic measures of
the forest resource-based industry in Ireland. Lacking is a coherent
picture of the interaction and interdependence of these various sectors.
The CASWOOD model will merge these data streams and supplement with data on
the reuse of wood resources to provide a holistic profile of the current
position of carbon storage and biomass potential. This will be used to test
hypothetical changes to the product stream to establish the parameters
influencing the environmental and economic optimisation of forest and
forest-based products in Ireland.

The postgraduate researcher will work with a team of researchers from
University College
Dublin and University of Limerick to develop data for the CASWOOD model,
including; harmonizing existing data sets on emissions, carbon storage and
fiscal measures of forest related sectors; profiling demolition practice in
Ireland including estimates of the type of wood waste recovered and the
estimated service life for wood products; document and develop applications
for the use of hardwood and softwood species in wood products and biomass;
develop economic and environmental profiles using LCA software to evaluate
the impact of these alternatives on biomass creation, carbon storage and
economic development; develop proposals for extending the service life of
the wood-based construction products and assessing the impact on the
cascade effect using the CASWOOD model to examine alternative scenarios.

The project is conducted in conjunction with Dr Ken Byrne, Department of
Life Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland. The project will involve
significant liaison between the project partners.

Applicants for this scholarship should ideally have
• A good honours degree in either: Architecture, Engineering, Environmental
Science,
Agricultural Science or equivalent.
• A knowledge of life cycle analysis, environmental processes and wood
products.
• A good knowledge of computers (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Knowledge of 3D
computer
modeling and timber construction would be an advantage.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Be enthusiastic and willing to learn new concepts and ideas.

A competitive research Masters scholarship (covering student stipend and
fees) for the duration of the project (2 years) is offered to the
successful applicant. The start date for the project is January 2015 and
the scholarship is to fund a full-time position in a Masters degree in the
School of Architecture. Interested applicants should email a complete CV,
academic transcript, two references and letter of application to:
Elizabeth. Shotton at ucd.ie

Early application advised
Closing date for applications 20 December 2014
Dr. Elizabeth Shotton
UCD School of Architecture
Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Tel: 353-1-716 2703
E-mail: Elizabeth.Shotton at ucd.ie




Charles Harper
Research Manager
UCD Forestry
University College Dublin
T: +35317167358
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://lists.uef.fi/pipermail/forest-list/attachments/20141211/72501e27/attachment.html