Scotland’s Rural College / Teagasc

SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College, delivers comprehensive skills, education and business support for Scotland’s land-based industry founded on world class, sector leading research, education and consultancy. Our 1500 staff are located on 6 campuses and around 40 business units across Scotland and the North of England. 

Teagasc is the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority and, as such, undertakes national land-use research, teaching and advisory activities. The Horticultural Development Unit (HDU), which was established in 2005 as an integrated research and advisory unit, is based at the Teagasc Food Research Centre in Ashtown, Dublin. 

This studentship, which is funded through a partnership between the Horticulture Development Council (HDC) and Teagasc, seeks to understand the role of sole biology in pest management. The soil food web represents the interactions between organisms of different feeding groups. Evidence suggests that soils with long and complex food webs, with more trophic links and more abundant predatory fauna, can effectively suppress plant pathogenic organisms. We propose to test this hypothesis for the damaging root pest Delia radicum (cabbage root fly) at two, established field trials, with ancillary studies on carrot root fly (Chamaepsila rosae) and club root disease (Plasmodiophora brassicae). The primary site is used for horticultural crops (carrot, onion, broccoli) and incorporates a fully factorial design of organic and conventional soil treatment with organic and conventional pest management. The secondary site has replicated plots of low and high input arable production. At both sites the soil food web will be quantified over an initial two year period and key soil parameters related to soil organic matter, nutrients and the microbial biomass also determined. The abundance of entomopathogenic fungi, nematodes and beetle larvae will be specifically monitored. The primary site will also be used for field evaluation of Cabbage root fly and Carrot root fly abundance and damage. Detailed laboratory experiments will then determine the effects of soil food web complexity on Cabbage root fly and club root growth and development in soils taken from both field sites. Further experimentation and sampling will be for the student to develop as part of their training. Communication of the results and implications to growers and the industry will be an important part of this project. 

Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in a related subject. Experience in soil biology or horticulture would be an advantage. The student will be registered for an MPhil/PhD with the University of Edinburgh. This 4 year studentship provides a stipend of €17,000  per annum and is funded to pay the tuition fees for UK/EU students. The project is expected to start in October 2013 and the student will split their time between Dublin and Edinburgh.

Online applications for this post can be submitted via our website www.sruc.ac.uk/jobs via the Apply button below. Alternatively application packs can be requested from audrey.johnstone@sruc.ac.uk Tel 0131 535 4028 quoting reference SRUC/1026372/Griffiths. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form. To have an informal discussion about this studentship, contact Bryan Griffiths, SRUC, Crop and Soil Systems Research Group West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, Email: Bryan.Griffiths@sruc.ac.uk Tel +44(0)131 535 4311 (direct line) Switchboard +44(0)131 535 4000. 

The closing date for the return of applications is 12 noon on 16^th May 2013