Centre for Doctoral Training PhDs in Plant Sciences
Applications are invited for four fully funded PhD studentships starting October 2024. Deadline for applications is 23rd January 2024 and interviews will take place shortly afterwards.
The School of Biological Sciences has a world-leading reputation for pure and applied research across the biological sciences, with a broad cross-cutting theme of understanding the fundamental biological consequences of global environmental change. Our research and education in plant and soil science, promoting the control of greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable food production, has been awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the highest honour for UK further and higher education.
The newly established Anthony and Margaret Johnston Centre for Doctoral Training in Plant Sciences, enabled by a generous legacy gift, will support successive cohorts of doctoral students to undertake training and research related to our core themes of Biodiversity and Evolution, Interactions and Global Change.
The CDT will support a tailored training programme in plant science research techniques in addition to generic skills training available to all PhD students. All our research staff and students benefit from our state-of-the-art laboratory, analytical and research facilities, including major recent investment in greenhouse facilities, the multi-omics Centre for Genome Enabled Biology and Medicine, and a high-performance computing cluster.
Projects
We are delighted to offer four fully funded studentship in Plant Sciences that will offer students the opportunity to be part of large and multi-disciplinary groups of award-winning staff who are active in plant and soil research.
The origins and maintenance of plant diversity in tropical forests: a case study from the clove genus Syzygium with Prof D Burslem, Prof M Jaspars, Dr Leonel Herrera-Alsina, Dr Eve Lucas, Dr Low Yee Wen
The land use and environmental impacts of a dietary shift from cow’s milk to oat milk in the UK. with Prof Pete Smith, Prof Jennie Macdiarmid, Prof Jo Smith
Turning back the tide of non-native riparian plant invasions with volunteer citizen conservationists - what are the determinants of successful restoration and sustained volunteer engagement? With Dr T Bodey, Prof X Lambin, Dr Flurina Wartmann
Modelling Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Scottish Agriculture: Implications for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation with Dr Mohamed Abdalla, Prof Astley Hastings
Funding and Eligibility
This opportunity is open to Home and international students and includes full funding to cover tuition fees and a stipend for living costs (£17,668 for the 23/24 academic year). The rate for 24/25 AY has not yet been set.
Applicants are expected to hold (or be about to achieve) at least a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or Equivalent). Applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree (or Equivalent) may be considered providing they have a Distinction or Commendation at Master’s level.
Please apply through the University of Aberdeen Postgraduate Application Portal, following the application procedure as described in the project adverts.