PhD Studentship: The effect of traffic and tillage systems on greenhouse gas emissions from a unique long-term field laboratory. (RD-PHD-24-PM-MH-01)
Harper Adams University
- Newport, Shropshire Morley, Derbyshire
- Contract
- Full-time
Salary: As per advert
Post Type: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 36 Months - Up to 36 months
Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Friday 31 May 2024
Reference: RD-PHD-24-PM-MH-01The effect of traffic and tillage systems on greenhouse gas emissions from a unique long-term field laboratory.Location: Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB, UKPost Type: Full TimeContract Type: Fixed Term (three years)Closing Date: 5.00pm UK time on Friday 31st May 2024Interview Date: 7th June 2024PhD Studentship (three years)Agriculture and Environment Department and Engineering DepartmentProject Background:The reduced need and intensity of tillage where compaction is avoided improves soil condition and soil function, and helps reduce soil greenhouse gas emissions. Given that the Harper Adams University (HAU) Traffic and Tillage long-term large field experiment has been established for 12 years, greenhouse gas emissions from soil will be investigated for 3 tillage (deep, shallow, zero) and 3 traffic (Controlled Traffic Farming, Low and Standard Tyre Pressure) systems.Project Aim and Objectives:The project aims to determine the effect of Controlled Traffic Farming, Low and Standard Tyre Pressure Systems factorialised with deep, shallow and no-till tillage systems on the soil greenhouse gas emissions at the long-term traffic and tillage experimental site at HAU, U.K.The project has the following objectives:1. To determine the effects of Controlled Traffic Farming, Low and Standard Tyre Pressure systems with deep, shallow and no-tillage systems on greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen use efficiency.2. To determine indicators of soil emissions by linking soil water dynamics, as affected by tillage and traffic, with soil structure data.3. To use measured data (objectives 1 and 2), combined with climatic records, to develop the first version of a modelling framework that enables the prediction of the carbon (C) footprint of tillage and traffic systems, and the simulation of soil C and C trajectories under alternative climate scenarios.4. To investigate the environmental and economic impacts of tillage and traffic systems from the perspective of soil greenhouse gas emissions, fertiliser nitrogen use efficiency, and predicted changes in soil quality (e.g., soil C) that may influence the market value of the land.This project will give the student training and experience in research methods relating to soil health, soil science and agronomy as well as experience of the technical challenges relating to commercial crop production. In this project the student will also gain a good understanding of novel advanced soil and mechanisation management systems.The multidisciplinary team:Harper Adams University (HAU) has the above research studentship available jointly in the Agriculture and Environment Department and Engineering Department. The project is funded by The Douglas Bomford Trust and The Morley Agricultural Foundation with in-kind industry support.The appointed PhD student will become part of a multi-disciplinary team at Harper Adams University and will be supervised by Dr Paula Misiewicz. Paula is an environmental engineer who research interests relate to the soil and water management, soil health and mechanisation. Co-supervision at Harper Adams University is provided by Dr Ed Dickin, Dr Simon Jeffery and Mr David White. Ed is a multiskilled agronomist with strong research background, Simon is an inquisitive microbial soil ecologist who understands how soil organisms drive soil processes and David is a creative engineer with over 30 years’ experience in agricultural engineering and soils’ research. Prof Dick Godwin (Visiting Professor) and Dr Dio Antille (The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Agriculture and Food, Australia) will be the external advisor providing advice the project.Successful candidates will receive a yearly stipend (paid monthly) set at the UKRI rate - for 2024/5 this will be £19,237. Harper Adams University is unfortunately unable to offer a fee waiver for international students applying and evidence of funding will be required for International Fee paying students to show they can cover the difference between the UK and international fees for the full four years - for the 2024/5 academic year this amount is £10,890. However, scholarships maybe be available at the time of appointment to cover the difference between UK and International fees for the duration of the programme.All applicants must have a minimum of an upper second-class UK honours degree, or equivalent, in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Soil Science, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Geography or related areas. An MSc degree in the same areas would be beneficial. Additionally, knowledge of farming systems is required. A good working knowledge of statistics and statistical analysis software would be an advantage but could be provided if required. This project will give training and experience in practical methods of greenhouse gas emission measurement techniques.Applicants need to demonstrate proficiency in English to at least B2 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). Details of the evidence that can be submitted to demonstrate this level of proficiency can be found in the English Language Policy on the Harper Adams University website.Applications should be made through the HAU website: where further details of the project can also be found.The deadline for uploading completed applications is 5 pm UK time on Friday, 31st May 2024.Further information can be found on the HAU website at .For informal enquiries on the project, applicants may contact the Director of Studies: Dr Paula Misiewicz ( ).Harper Adams University is one of the premier UK Higher Education institutions focused on the land-based and food supply chain sector. With around 2,800 undergraduate students, plus those completing postgraduate, research and CPD programmes, Harper Adams University is the UK's largest single provider of higher education for these subjects. Programmes fall into eleven broad subject areas – but none operate in isolation. Community and collaboration are key at Harper Adams, meaning everyone, including staff, students and industry partners, benefits from a close network of knowledge and opportunity exchange. Situated in Shropshire, the campus and the surrounding area provide an excellent working and living environment for staff and students alike.Harper Adams is consistently positioned highly in a range of national ratings, performance measures and league tables. The University has been the highest performing modern university in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the last four years, climbing to 17th place in the overall league table. In the 2020 guide Harper Adams was named Modern University of the Year and runner-up University of the Year. In the 2019 Whatuni? Student Choice Awards, based on student reviews, Harper Adams won the Student Support category for the fifth time – the only university to have taken the title since the awards began - and won the category for best job prospects for a fourth year running. In the 2020 QS World Rankings for Agriculture and Forestry published in March 2020, Harper Adams was ranked first in the UK for academic reputation and second in the world for its reputation with employers.Harper Adams University is internationally recognised for the quality of its research, as evidenced by the Research Excellence Framework 2022. In order to maintain and uphold the high standards of our research, we continue to undertake initiatives to ensure that integrity, ethics and excellence are at the core of our research activities and fully embedded in our research culture.Further details:Harper Adams University is one of the premier UK Higher Education institutions focused on the land-based and food supply chain sector. With around 2,800 undergraduate students, plus those completing postgraduate, research and CPD programmes, Harper Adams University is the UK's largest single provider of higher education for these subjects. Programmes fall into eleven broad subject areas – but none operate in isolation. Community and collaboration are key at Harper Adams, meaning everyone, including staff, students and industry partners, benefits from a close network of knowledge and opportunity exchange. Situated in Shropshire, the campus and the surrounding area provide an excellent working and living environment for staff and students alike.Harper Adams is consistently positioned highly in a range of national ratings, performance measures and league tables. The University has been the highest performing modern university in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the last four years, climbing to 17th place in the overall league table. In the 2020 guide Harper Adams was named Modern University of the Year and runner-up University of the Year. In the 2019 Whatuni? Student Choice Awards, based on student reviews, Harper Adams won the Student Support category for the fifth time – the only university to have taken the title since the awards began - and won the category for best job prospects for a fourth year running. In the 2020 QS World Rankings for Agriculture and Forestry published in March 2020, Harper Adams was ranked first in the UK for academic reputation and second in the world for its reputation with employers.Harper Adams University is internationally recognised for the quality of its research, as evidenced by the In order to maintain and uphold the high standards of our research, we continue to undertake initiatives to ensure that integrity, ethics and excellence are at the core of our research activities and fully embedded in our research culture.Find JobsSearch Jobs:LoginPlease note: Javascript must be enabled to use this website.Email / Username:Password:I accept cookies