One Funded PhD Studentship: Understanding How Native Legume Trees Can Help Maintain Pasture Productivity and Prevent Agricultural Expansion Into the Amazon

Project Title: Understanding how native legume trees can help maintain pasture productivity and prevent agricultural expansion into the Amazon

Academic Supervisors:

Prof. Toby Pennington, University of Exeter

Dr Alexandre de Azevedo Olival, UNEMAT

Dr Lucy Rowland, University of Exeter

Dr Fernanda Barros, University of Exeter

Location: Geography, Streatham Campus, Exeter  

The University of Exeter’s Department of Geography is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully-funded by Shell to commence on 25 September 2023  or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover international tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £17,668 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.  The student would be based in Geography at the Streatham Campus in Exeter, but will also spend significant time in the field working with partners in Brazil.

Background:

Pastures account for 21.5% of Brazil’s 8.5 million km² territory. However, 54% of these are moderately or severely degraded and only being used to support very few animals, thus producing limited economic output, whilst also having very limited biodiversity and carbon storage value. The aim of this PhD is to work with a Shell funded research project Carbon Storage in Pasture through Ecological Restoration (CASPER), focusing on how legume trees can improve pasture productivity and carbon storage within pastures being actively manages in Mato Grosso by our local collaborators Instituto Ouro Verde. Specifically, this PhD aims to evaluate.

1. How the identity and density of legume tree species alters pasture productivity
2. How soil-plant interactions change with nodulating, non-nodulating and non-legume tree species in pastures
3. If the age of the legume trees impacts their capacity to increase pasture productivity

For further details please see the advert on the University Exeter website.

Entry requirements:

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the required level (Profile B) as per our guidance at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english. Language tests do not need to be undertaken prior to application, only post-offer. Furthermore, the applicant must also have Portuguese language skills (written and spoken).

How to apply:

In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents. 

• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. You are not required to obtain references yourself. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 13^th February 2023 GMT. Interviews will be held virtually / on the University of Exeter Streatham Campus in March 2023.  

If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email pgrenquiries@exeter.ac.uk or phone 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) +44 (0) 1392 725150 (EU/International callers)   Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor.

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