The 2016 Research Experience Placements

Estimating the contribution of root exudation to C storage in temperate agricultural soil Project objectives: The project aimed to give the student an experience of working in the environmental and soil science sector to highlight the dynamic and complex nature of carbon research, and the importance of this type of research in the context of […]

Re-advertised studentships

The following projects are now available to apply for with a deadline of 2nd April 2017: Based at Title CEH Predicting formation and stability of carbon-rich soil layers CEH Can nitrogen saturation lead to lower soil N pools? Using paired chronosequences to study the mechanisms governing nitrogen accumulation CEH Modelling the response of soil and […]

Modelling the response of soil and vegetation to agri-environment options

Supervisor: Simon Smart Registered: Bangor University Based: Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Would you like to earn a PhD doing research at the cutting edge of soil and plant ecology, land-use change and agriculture? We are looking for an enthusiastic, numerate student with a passion for ecology. The project will use state-of-the-art niche modelling […]

Can nitrogen saturation lead to lower soil N pools? Using paired chronosequences to study the mechanisms governing nitrogen accumulation

Supervisor: Laurence Jones Registered: Bangor University Based: Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Nitrogen pollution can reduce plant diversity in dune ecosystems by 50%, but new research suggests that nitrogen saturation may actually limit the amount of nitrogen accumulating in dune soils. This innovative project will use high-resolution chronosequences (sites with soils of varying age, 0-160 […]

Mitigating the impacts of intensive agriculture on lowland organic soils

Supervisor: Christopher Evans Registered: Bangor University Based: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology This studentship will address one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, namely how to maintain food supplies to a growing human population without triggering irreparable damage to the earth’s ecosystems and climate. It will focus on the most important terrestrial carbon store, […]

Predicting formation and stability of carbon-rich soil layers

Supervisor: Ed Rowe Registered: Lancaster University Based: Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Carbon is stored in soils in vast amounts, and to avoid further pressure on the global climatic system it is essential that soil carbon stocks are stabilised or increased. Organomineral soils with large surface concentrations of carbon are widespread in cool oceanic climates, […]

STARS at envEXPO2017

Following on from the STARS Innovation event in February, 3 STARS students: Lewis Rose, Dan Evans and Mihai Cimpoiasu, ventured to envEXPO in Norwich ready to put their networking skills into practice and further develop innovative skills around their PhD studies. Here Lewis offers his account of the event: The recent envEXPO conference at the […]

Soil macronutrient cycles beneath our feet: predicting how soil carbon and nitrogen manipulation regulates phosphorus cycling for environmental benefits

Supervisor: Marc Stutter Registered: Lancaster University Based: James Hutton Institute and Lancaster University Scientific developments are needed to unite global goals of improving soil quality and enhancing soil phosphorus efficiency. Organic matter cycles of the major nutrients P, N and C are both regulating, and regulated by, soil microbial and chemical processes. We see this […]