We currently have three openings to join the lab – two MSc by Research positions and one PhD position. Please see below. Position 1 deadline 29th July 2022. See below for more details. Positions 2 & 3 deadline 22nd July 2022. See below for more details.
Position 1: Funded 2-Year MSc in Plant Ecology: Assessing plant biodiversity in Irish agricultural ecosystems (DAFM funded; EU fees only)
Applications are invited for a 2-year MSc by Research funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and based in the School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway. The project is part of a larger project “Impact of plant diversity on carbon storage and yield stability in semi-natural grassland” and will focus on assessing the plant biodiversity of different types of agricultural grassland. The student will undertake detailed plant biodiversity surveys in several different Irish grassland and agricultural ecosystems and compare them to baseline surveys undertaken by the NWPS in 2007 – 2012. The project will assess the sites’ (1) current biodiversity; (2) changes since the 2007-2012 survey; and (3) suitability of current management strategies for promoting biodiversity.
The MSc will be part of the larger project and the student will work with other members of the team.
The MSc position is suitable for graduates of biology, botany, environmental science, physical geography, or plant science with an interest in plant biodiversity.
The award includes:
• Fees for an MSc in Science are fully covered at the EU rate which is approximately €5,750 p.a. for up to two years.
• Annual tax-free stipend: €18,000 per year for two years
Start date is expected to be no later than 1st October 2022.
Applications
Essential attributes
• A II-1 or I class honours degree (or equivalent) in plant sciences, botany, ecology environmental science or cognate discipline.
• You must be willing and able to work independently and as part of a team. This project will involve a significant amount of field work.
• A good understanding of plant ecology.
• Full, clean driving licence.
Desirable attributes
• Evidence of a strong understanding of plant ecology and experience of field work.
• Evidence of a strong understanding of experimental design and statistics.
• Good team-working experience.
Please send applications to Dr Karen Bacon (karen.bacon@nuigalway.ie) with “Plant ecology MSc application 2022” in the subject line of the email. The deadline for applications is 5 pm on the 29th July 2022.
Questions regarding the position can be sent to Dr Karen Bacon (Karen.bacon@nuigalway.ie), Professor Astrid Wingler (astrid.wingler@ucc.ie) and Dr Fiona Cawkwell (f.cawkwell@ucc.ie)
Applications: Please attach a single PDF document that contains:
• A cover letter of 1 to 2 pages: Your letter should clearly set out your suitability and motivation for this MSc with reference to your past relevant experience and achievements. Font size should not be below 12 points in Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri or similar font.
• A CV that includes your relevant experience, undergraduate results, any relevant publications (if applicable) and contact information for two academic referees.
Candidates will then be short listed and interviewed via MS Teams. The provisional interview date is Tuesday 9th August and the successful candidate will be informed shortly afterward interview.Please contact Dr Karen Bacon (Karen.bacon@nuigalway.ie) if you have any questions about the position
Position 2: Funded 2-year MSc by Research (botany/leaf traits) EU fees only
Applications are invited for a funded 2-year MSc in Dr Karen Bacon’s Plant Ecology & Palaeoecology lab group in the School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway. The project is part of a larger project focused on understanding plant extinction and leaf traits in both a modern and palaeobiological context. The successful candidate will assess the leaf traits of a range of plants to determine if there is any relationship between these traits and their risk of extinction. The project will involve travel to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and working with Dr Eimear Nic Lughadha’s Conservation Assessment and Analysis team.
The MSc position is suitable for biology, botany, environmental science, physical geography, or plant science with an interest in leaf traits and extinction.
The award includes:
• Fees for a MSc in Science are covered at the EU rate which is approximately €5,750 p.a. for up to two years.
• Annual tax-free stipend: €18,000 per year for two years
• Start date: 1st September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Applications
Essential attributes
• A II-1 or I class honours degree (or equivalent) in plant sciences, botany, ecology or conservation science.
• You must be willing and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• A good understanding of plant ecology.
Desirable attributes
• Evidence of a strong understanding of plant ecology and experience of working with herbarium collections.
• Evidence of a strong understanding of experimental design and statistics.
• Good team-working experience.
Please send applications to Dr Karen Bacon karen.bacon@nuigalway.ie with “”Leaf traits MSc application 2022” in the subject line of the email. The deadline is 5 pm on 22nd July 2022.
Applications: Please attach a single PDF document that contains:
• A cover letter of 1 to 2 pages: Your letter should clearly set out your suitability and motivation for this MSc with reference to your past relevant experience and achievements. Font size should not be below 12 points in Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri or similar font.
• A CV that includes your relevant experience, undergraduate results, any relevant publications (if applicable) and contact information for two academic referees.
Candidates will then be short listed and interviewed via MS Teams shortly after the closing date, with the successful candidate informed shortly afterward interview. Interviews are currently planned for the week commencing 1st August.
Please contact Dr Karen Bacon (Karen.bacon@nuigalway.ie)
Position 3: Funded 4-year PhD (experimental palaeobotany) EU fees only
Applications are invited for a funded 4-year PhD in Dr Karen Bacon’s Plant Ecology & Palaeoecology lab group in the School of Natural Sciences, NUI Galway. The project is part of a larger project focused on understanding plant extinction and leaf traits in both a modern and palaeobiological context. The successful candidate will investigate the effects of atmospheric composition and/or preservation environment on the preservation potential of different plant functional types in the fossil record. This may include determining the impacts of atmospheric composition and depositional environment on leaf chemistry and leaf traits. The project will involve travel to the University of Leeds and working with Dr Fiona Gill.
The PhD position is suitable for biology, botany, chemistry, Earth science, environmental science, physical geography, and plant science graduates with an interest in leaf traits, leaf chemistry and extinction.
The award includes:
• Fees for a PhD in Science are covered at the EU rate which is approximately €5,750 p.a. for up to two years.
• Annual tax-free stipend: €18,000 per year for four years
• Start date: 1st September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Applications
Essential attributes
• A II-1 or I class honours degree (or equivalent) in plant sciences, botany, chemistry, Earth science, or a cognate discipline.
• You must be willing and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• A good understanding of plant ecology/leaf traits and/or preservation in the fossil record.
Desirable attributes
• A MSc (by research or taught) in a relevant discipline.
• Evidence of a strong understanding of plant ecology and plant palaeoecology
• Experience of working with analytical chemistry techniques is highly desirable but not essential as training will be provided (e.g. pyrolysis; gas chromatography mass spectrometry etc).
• Experience of working with palaeobotanical techniques (e.g. stomatal characters/ leaf shape analysis)
• Evidence of a strong understanding of experimental design and statistics.
• Good team-working experience.
Please send applications to Dr Karen Bacon (karen.bacon@nuigalway.ie) with “”Plant preservation PhD application 2022” in the subject line of the email. The deadline is 5 pm (Irish time) on 22nd July 2022. Please note interviews are planned for the week starting August 1st, likely August 3rd and will be held via MS Teams.
Applications: Please attach a single PDF document that contains:
• A cover letter of 1 to 2 pages: Your letter should clearly set out your suitability and motivation for this PhD with reference to your past relevant experience and achievements. Font size should not be below 12 points in Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri or similar font.
• A CV that includes your relevant experience, undergraduate results, any relevant publications (if applicable) and contact information for two academic referees.
Candidates will then be short listed and interviewed via MS Teams with the successful candidate informed shortly afterward interview. The current planned interview date is August 3rd but this may be subject to change. Please contact Dr Karen Bacon (Karen.bacon@nuigalway.ie)