Patterns and Process? Biodiversity and ecosystem function response to
changes in the arable landscape
DoS: Professor Camille Parmesan (camille.parmesan@plymouth.ac.uk, tel.: 01752 584993)
Co-supervisors: Dr Mick Hanley (mehanley@plymouth.ac.uk, tel.: 01752 584631); Dr. Rich
Boden (Rich.Boden@plymouth.ac.uk) tel 01752 584452
Applications are invited for 3-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1st October
2014.
Project Description
Intensification of modern farming is widely held responsible for biodiversity loss, but agroecosystems must respond to economic and societal pressure to maximise agricultural
production. The public and policy sectors have recently begun to recognize the importance of
maintaining ecosystem functioning which provides valuable services to society, which requires
preserving semi-natural ecosystems and their component species. Modern ecological sciences
are increasingly striving to find a balance between these societal needs, and finding that
maintaining key wild species can deliver economic benefits back to farmers by virtue of
ecosystem service provision. This project will investigate how contemporary farming practices
(e.g. cultivation of mass flowering crops, organic farming, bioenergy cropping) affects the
interaction between wild biodiversity and key ecosystem processes and services, with particular
emphasis on pollinator assemblages and soil microbe communities.
The successful applicant will receive training in ecological assay techniques, field methods,
experimental design and statistical analysis as well as receiving training in handling and
assessment of diverse organisms, including flowering plants, insects, and soil microbes. The
student will thus have the opportunity to develop a remarkable range of skills at the same time
as addressing one of the most pressing issues in conservation biology and landscape
management.
Eligibility
Applicants should have (at least) a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate
subject.
The studentship is supported for 36 months and includes full Home/EU tuition fees plus a
stipend of £13,863 per annum. The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are
eligible for Home/EU fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover
overseas fees will have to cover the difference between the Home/EU and the overseas tuition
fee rates (approximately £9,950 per annum).
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Professor Camille Parmesan
(camille.parmesan@plymouth.ac.uk) or Dr Mick Hanley (mehanley@plymouth.ac.uk). However,
applications must be made in accordance with the details shown below.
For an application form and full details on how to apply, please visit
www.plymouth.ac.uk/postgraduate. Applicants should send a completed application form along
with a covering letter detailing their suitability for the studentship, C.V., and 2 references to
Catherine Johnson, Graduate School, Link Building, Level 3, Plymouth PL4 8AA or e-mail
catherine.johnson@plymouth.ac.uk.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 30th May 2014. Shortlisted
candidates will be invited for interview in the week beginning 16th June. We regret that we may
Ref: CP/BIO/300514
not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received an offer of a place
by 30th June should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Ref: CP/BIO/300514