SNH/SEPA PhD Studentships 2014
As part of developing their research work linked to operational priorities, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) will fund up to three PhD studentships in 2014.
SNH and SEPA are government bodies responsible to Scottish Government Ministers and, through them, to the Scottish Parliament. The task of SNH is to secure the conservation and enhancement of Scotland's natural heritage - the wildlife, habitats and landscapes which have evolved through the long partnership between people and nature. SEPA is Scotland’s environmental regulator. Its main role is to protect and improve the environment. It does this by being an excellent environmental regulator, helping business and industry to understand their environmental responsibilities and by monitoring the quality of Scotland's air, land and water. SEPA is also responsible for delivering Scotland’s River Basin Management and Flood Risk Management Plans.
In 2014, successful applications will be drawn from one or more of the following areas:
- Freshwater ecosystems, focusing on environmental quality, biodiversity and ecological processes
- The ecosystem approach and adaptive management, developing empirical, analytical, modelling and /or experimental work to help deliver multiple benefits and support this area of work, in marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
- Benefits from nature (or ecosystem services), with emphasis on assessing the health, cultural, economic or intrinsic importance of nature
- Understanding public perceptions of nature and environment, with particular emphasis on how this influences (more) sustainable behaviours
- Novel science for the environment, inviting innovative approaches, including citizen science, to developing our understanding and monitoring of species, habitats and environmental processes which may lead to a better understanding of ecosystem health
- Ecosystem health, focusing on the role ecological networks and green infrastructure and the links to human health and well-being
Applications are sought from UK University/Research Institute staff wishing to secure such a studentship. The annual stipend for the studentships will be £13,595, with up to £3,732 per year being provided for University fees.
The closing date for applications is 11 October 2013. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to provide more detailed applications. Applications can only be accepted from staff; prospective students interested in taking up one of the awards should discuss this with a potential supervisor in a university or research institute.
An announcement on the successful applications will be made in early February 2014.
An application form is available by post from: Paul Robertson, SNH, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness IV3 8NW or by email from:- Paul.Robertson@snh.gov.uk
If you have scientific enquiries about SNH studentships, contact: Professor Des Thompson, Principal Adviser on Biodiversity at SNH, Silvan House, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 7AT or by email: Des.Thompson@snh.gov.uk
If you have scientific enquiries about SEPA studentships, contact: Peter Singleton, Environmental Futures and Trends Unit Manager, SEPA, Erskine Court, The Castle Business Park, Stirling FK9 4TR or by email: peter.singleton@sepa.org.uk