PhD Scholarship in Biodiversity
& Conservation
Application Form
PhD scholarship in Biodiversity and Conservation
Applications are sought from suitably qualified candidates to undertake doctoral research on any aspect
of biological diversity and its conservation; interdisciplinary studies are particularly welcome. The project
will be funded through a Trinity Centre for Biodiversity Research (TCBR) studentship, which will include EU
fees and an annual stipend of €16,000 for three years as well as a modest fund to support travel and
laboratory costs. The project should reflect the research goals of the TCBR, and will commence in
September 2013. The successful applicant will be registered in the School of Natural Sciences and linked
with the Trinity Centre for Biodiversity Research. Applicants must NOT have started their research at the
time of application. Information on the School can be found at http://www.naturalscience.tcd.ie/, and on
the TCBR at http://www.tcd.ie/tcbr/.
Potential candidates should first make contact with a potential supervisor(s) in the School, see
http://www.naturalscience.tcd.ie/, and follow links for further information on staff research interests.
Applications must be submitted on the accompanying application form. Deadline for applications is
Monday 15th July 2013. Completed applications should be submitted to the School of Natural Science,
Trinity College, Dublin 2 (snsmast@tcd.ie).
1.
Project Title
Project title
Give 6 keywords/phrases to
describe your project
2.
Applicant details
Name
Telephone
Address for
correspondence
Have you applied for
any other research
funding for this
project? If yes, give
details
Date of birth
Email address
3.
Academic qualifications
i. Undergraduate qualifications – Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
Institution name
Start date
Qualification
Additional information
(e.g. project title, area
of study, etc.)
Biodiversity & Conservation Scholarship Application
Country
End date
Grade
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ii. Postgraduate qualifications – Master’s Degree
Was this a taught programme or by research?
Institution name
Start date
Qualification
Additional information
(e.g. project title, area
of study, etc.)
Country
End date
Grade
iii. Other education
Give details of any other relevant courses (for example, training courses, Professional courses, etc.);
please provide course name, location and dates (maximum of 500 words)
4.
Proposed research
Department
Supervisor(s)
Abstract of proposed
work.
(maximum 200 words).
Description of topic.
Include brief context,
aims, objectives and
central research
questions (maximum
1,000 words)
Methodology. Describe
the methods you will
employ to provide
answers to research
questions (maximum
500 words)
Research plan to
include, for example, a
schedule for the
completion of
tasks/phases of the
project and efficient
management and
performance of research
(maximum 400 words,
also append a Gannt
chart)
Biodiversity & Conservation Scholarship Application
Start Date
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Relationship of the
project to existing
research. Suggest how
the project will make a
new contribution to
knowledge (maximum
400 words)
Description of any
specialist
knowledge/data
required. If relevant,
describe plans for
acquiring this
knowledge/data if it is
not already in place.
Describe how data
required for this project
will be accessed
(maximum 400 words)
Proposed research
trips.
Describe any trips (more
than three weeks
duration) which will be
necessary as part of
your proposed project
(maximum 200 words)
Describe your
dissemination plans (i.e.
conference papers and
publications) and
potential impact of the
research (maximum 200
words).
Links with external
institutions. Describe
any links with
institutions/companies
outside Trinity College
(maximum 300 words).
5. Research Achievements.
Please provide any additional information regarding
publications to date, conference papers, patents and/or other awards achieved.
Biodiversity & Conservation Scholarship Application
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6.
Personal Statement
This personal statement provides an opportunity for the applicant to highlight additional information that
has not been provided elsewhere in the application; the points below provide a guide. (maximum 1,000
words)
Section 1
 Why do you wish to pursue a higher degree by research?
 Why have you proposed this research topic?
 Why you are particularly suited for this research field?
 What projects, essays or other relevant experience do you have?
 Discuss any additional aspects which you feel will provide a better picture of
your capability, including awards, motivation interests etc.
Section 2
 Can you demonstrate other relevant experience and skills not listed
elsewhere? For example, what holiday or other jobs have you had and are
these pertinent?
 What skills do you have that would prepare you for this postgraduate
programme?
 In terms of career aspirations, what do you expect to do upon completion of
the postgraduate degree?
 How will the postgraduate degree assist you in achieving your goals?
7. Referee details.
Provide contact details for two referees
Referee 1 – details
Name
Position
Institution
Telephone
Email address
Referee 2 – details
Institution
Telephone
Email address
Biodiversity & Conservation Scholarship Application
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