Two PhD students will be recruited as part of the EPA-funded project on the small stream network (SSNet). The successful students will form part of a multi-institute international research team to advance knowledge on the role of small streams in water quality, biodiversity and ecosystem services protection
The successful candidates for both positions would be expected to collaborate in field data collection campaigns. A full driver’s licence may be an advantage as substantial fieldwork within Ireland is envisaged.
Position 1: UCD Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Civil Engineering (start September 2018)
The research will investigate how nutrients are carried through a river network. In particular, the effects of nutrient processing, cycling and export of nutrients from headwater small streams on nutrient status further downstream, considering catchment inflow pathways, instream processes and interactions with river banks and floodplains. Field data collections of discharges and water chemistry will be undertaken and will be used to support numerical modelling of nutrient transport and fate. The models will be used to assess the effects of proposed management measures and interventions in the small stream network to determine the magnitudes of their effects on downstream water quality and flows.
The applicant should hold a degree in science or engineering and preferably have some knowledge of, and interest in, water chemistry and/or numerical environmental or GIS based modelling.
Stipend & Fees: The studentship is for 36 months and includes a stipend of €17,000 p.a. and the payment of academic fees (at EU rates).
Application procedure: Interested applicants for this PhD position should email a letter of application, stating how they meet the requirements, and CV including the names of 2-3 referees to (opens in a new window)michael.bruen@ucd.ie.
Closing Date for applications: 9th June 2018
Shortlisted candidates are expected to be interviewed before the end of July 2018.
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Position 2: School of Biology & Environmental Science (start January 2019)
The research will involve assessment of hydromorphology and aquatic biodiversity of headwater streams. The hydromorphological assessment will characterise headwater streams in different landscape settings and subject to different human pressures and interventions, and investigate links between processes, pressures, interventions and reach hydromorphology within selected headwater catchments. The biodiversity investigations will cover macroinvertebrates, macrophytes and phytobenthos to enable relationship to geomorphology and hydrochemistry to be established and to produce a typology based on all three biological elements.
The applicant should hold a degree in environmental science or related discipline and preferably have knowledge of hydromorphology (i.e. hydrology and fluvial geomorphology) and identification of aquatic biota.
Stipend & Fees: The studentship is for 36 months and includes a stipend of €17,000 p.a. and the payment of academic fees (EU rates).
Application procedure: Interested applicants for this PhD position should email a letter of application, stating how they meet the requirements, and CV including the names of 2-3 referees to mary.kelly-quinn@ucd.ie.
Closing Date for applications: 1st September 2018
Shortlisted candidates are expected to be interviewed before the end of October 2018.