“Mobilisation, transport and attenuation of soil phosphorus fractions in groundwater-fed agricultural catchments”

Background

Strategies are required for intensive agricultural land that minimise phosphorus (P) loss from soils to water. Excessive soil P is mostly transferred to waters via surface pathways but, in well-drained soils, there is a potential for a substantial proportion of P transfer to waters via subsurface pathways. Even so, there are gaps in the existing knowledge of P mobilisation and attenuation processes in the subsurface continuum. Due to differences in soil chemistry such processes are often studied in isolation, and soil P retention and release are seldom connected to observed data at the catchment scale. This project proposes to address these issues at the process scale in soil profiles and within three catchments with well-drained soils of different P buffering capacity. Colloidal P mobilisation or attenuation will be characterised by examining the speciation of P in groundwater and mechanisms of P release and retention from soil will be further explored. This will provide the basis for identifying Critical Source Areas of P for discharge to groundwater and exploring ways to minimise such losses.

Requirements

Applicants should have a good primary degree (First or Upper Second Class Honours) in an appropriate discipline (Soil or Environmental Science, Chemistry, Geography, Environmental Engineering, etc.). 
The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared for laboratory work and extended periods of field work with modern analytical equipment. A full EU driving licence is also required.

Award

The four-year Fellowship is a joint research project between Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and the School of Environmental Sciences, Ulster University. The student will be based, in the first instance, at the Teagasc Research Centre at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford and will be registered at Ulster University, working under the supervision of Prof Phil Jordan in association with Teagasc (Dr Per-Erik Mellander, Dr Karen Daly and Dr Owen Fenton) and Trinity College Dublin (Dr Catherine Coxon) supervisors. Periods of research training and laboratory work will be undertaken at Ulster University. Applications will be considered on a competitive basis with regard to the candidate’s qualifications, skills experience and interests. Successful candidates will enrol as of 1st October 2015 on a full-time MRes programme of research studies leading to the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

The studentship will comprise fees (Home and EU) and an annual stipend of £14,057.  It will be awarded for a period of up to four years subject to satisfactory progress.

Further Information

Dr Per-Erik Mellander, Agricultural Catchments Programme, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland (www.teagasc.ie/agcatchments) Tel: +353 (0)53 9171315 email: per-erik.mellander<στο>teagasc.ie

Prof Phil Jordan, School of Environmental Sciences, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA
Tel: +44 (0)28 7012 4193 email: p.jordan<στο>ulster.ac.uk

Application Procedure

For further information on the application process please visit our website: 
study.ulster.ac.uk/postgraduate/applying.php

Apply online www.ulster.ac.uk/applyonline

Closing date and interviews

Closing date for applications is 15th May 2015.

Interviews will be held at the Teagasc Research Centre at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford on 21st June 2015.