Friday, January 8, 2016

Possible opportunity for PhD students working with Invasive Species to gain international experience in Ireland

Two PhD studentships are being solicited to work on an Irish EPA funded three‐year project led by Institute of Technology, Sligo and partnered with Queen's University Belfast and INVAS Biosecurity, to tackle IAS problems with multiple approaches.

Invasive species are a global problem.  The European Union has ramped-up efforts to enhance collaboration and cooperation between member countries and to improve their abilities to reduce introduction, spread and impacts of invasive species. 

To that end, the EU has initiated several Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action projects focused on invasive species, one of which is COST Action 1209  European Information System for Alien Species  http://www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/fa/TD1209.  The aim of COST Action TD1209 is to facilitate enhanced knowledge gathering and sharing through a network of experts, providing support to a European IAS information system which will enable effective and informed decision-making in relation to IAS. An overarching priority will be to identify the needs and formats for alien species (AS) information by different user groups and specifically for implementation of EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. Correspondingly early warning tools and rapid response protocols will be developed. 

Center Co-Director Douce has been participating in this and other Invasive Species-focused COST Action projects to gain an understanding of EU approaches to dealing with Invasive Species and to look for possibilities of exchanging information and information technology capabilities that would be beneficial to all parties involved.


The call for applicants came through the COST Action TD1209 communications systems.  
Students will join a range of research projects on invasive species being conducted by these partners to tackle IAS problems with multiple approaches. Each PhD will benefit from research and training in a truly inter-disciplinary environment with further opportunities to collaborate with ecologists, engineers, geographers, sociologists, state agencies, government and regulators, industry stakeholders and local communities.

One PhD will be based at IT Sligo and the other in QUB. Applications can be made to one or both of these PhDs before January 22nd 2016.

PhD 1
Institution: CERIS Research Centre, Institute of Technology, Sligo

Supervisors: Dr. Frances Lucy (IT Sligo), Prof. Jaimie Dick (QUB) and Dr. Joe Caffrey (INVAS Biosecurity,Ltd.)

This PhD student will: (1) address systematic reviews and horizon scans of IAS issues in general and within Ireland in particular; and (2) develop communications for prevention, control and eradication of IAS. Further, the student will examine and develop IAS biosecurity protocols (e.g. surveys of vectors, IAS signage) at points of entry (e.g. ports) and, in the field, develop herbicide/adjuvant control methods for the invasive terrestrial plant, Winter heliotrope, Petasites fragrans.

Application: Submit a CV and Letter of Motivation by January 22 at 5pm to Dr Frances Lucy lucy.frances@itsligo.ie
Funding: This fully funded 3-year PhD studentship pays IT Sligo fees plus a stipend of Euro 16,000 per annum. Applicants must have a BSc and/or MSc in Environmental Science, Ecology (or similar discipline).

PhD 2
Institution: School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast

Supervisors: Prof. Jaimie Dick (QUB), Dr. Frances Lucy (IT Sligo) and Dr. Joe Caffrey (INVAS Biosecurity,Ltd.)

This PhD student will address: (1) systematic reviews and horizon scans of IAS issues in general and within Ireland in particular; (2) development of communications for prevention, control and eradication of IAS. Further, the student will develop biosecurity protocols with disinfectants, such as Virkon, using ecotoxicological methods and, in the laboratory and field, develop control and eradication methods for the invasive Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea (e.g. based on dry ice application).

Application: http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=69924. Prospective applicants may contact the lead supervisor, Prof Jaimie Dick at j.dick@qub.ac.uk.

Funding: This fully funded 3-year PhD studentship pays UK University tuition fees (currently £4,052 per annum) and stipend of £14,057stg per annum. Applicants must have a BSc and/or MSc in Ecology (or similar discipline), or equivalent qualifications.​

Dr. Frances Lucy,
Director of CERIS,
School of Science,
Institute of Technology, Sligo,
Ash Lane,
Sligo,
Ireland
Phone: +353-719305693

Board Member: Inland Fisheries Ireland