A three-year, full-time, PhD studentship jointly funded by EPSRC and the EPSAM Research Institute (Keele University) is available to start in Summer 2009 (start date negotiable). The studentship includes a full stipend (approximately £13,000 per year), fieldwork expenses and all fees paid at current UK/EU rates. Please note that, due to funding restrictions, the studentship is only open to UK nationals and EU citizens.

The project will involve the development of new numerical modelling/simulation tools for the characterisation and evaluation of forest growth. Current models are generally restricted to forest-level approaches with little capacity for the inclusion of temporal changes in climate, the effect of natural disturbance (wind, disease, etc), local-scale spatial variations in the sub-surface environment (e.g., near-surface geology, hydrology, etc) or the complex spatial structure of a stand of trees. These factors can have a significant influence on forest dynamics and development (e.g., tree mortality, growth and yield) and, therefore, the aim of the studentship is to create a more sophisticated, advanced numerical modelling scheme that is capable of including these localised effects in a generic, practical way. As part of the project, non-invasive geophysical methods (such as ground-penetrating radar) will be used to assess, characterise and monitor the near-surface temporal/spatial variations in order to provide realistic and validated inputs into the locally adaptable models.

The successful candidate will work with Dr Sarah Taylor and Dr Peter Thomas in the School of Life Sciences and Dr Nigel Cassidy in the School of Physical and Geographic Sciences. There will also be the opportunity to collaborate with Dr Barry Gardiner of Forest Research.

Applicants should have a good first degree (i.e., a 2:1 or 1st class Honours degree or its equivalent) and/or a Masters degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Physical/Natural Sciences), possess good mathematical/numerical skills and, ideally, have programming experience with high-level languages such as Matlab, Java and/or C++. Training will be provided in the use, processing and interpretation of the geophysical techniques.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, contact Dr Nigel Cassidy (n.j.cassidy@esci.keele.ac.uk) or Dr Sarah L. Taylor (s.l.taylor@biol.keele.ac.uk) For administrative enquiries, please contact Shirley Courthold (s.p.courthold@epsam.keele.ac.uk or 01782 733175).

Full details of the project, funding and application procedures can be found at http://www.keele.ac.uk/gradschool/funding/keelefunding.htm under reference code: EPSAM 2008-04.

Closing Date: 1^st May 2009