Soil Microbial Ecology and Ecosystem Services - MICROTROP 2014

(Version française plus loin dans le corps du message)
Merci de diffuser aux éventuels candidats

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Call for applications - Deadline: 15 June 2013
 

Advanced training for early-career scientists

MICROTROP 2014 - Soil Microbial Ecology and Ecosystem Services
 

Senegal, 19 May-13 June 2014

Microtrop is an intensive one month advanced course in Tropical Soil Microbial Ecology designed for PhD students (in their last year), post-doc or early career scientists within 5 years of PhD completion.
The course combines lecturers by leading soil and microbiology scientists with hands-on training. Experimental design and methods that are cost-effective and appropriate for scientists working in developing countries and tropical soils are presented. The course keystone is a tropical microbial ecology research project designed by each participant that includes data analysis and write up. The courses will be held in English.
The training will gather ca. 20 participants from Southern countries, France or Western Europe, and the USA.
Consult the web site www.ecoltrop.ird.fr and the flyer for more details.
Download the application form.
Contact : ecoltrop.senegal@ird.fr

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Appel à candidatures – Date limite : 15 juin 2013
Ecole chercheur

MICROTROP 2014 - Ecologie microbienne des sols et services écosystémiques
 

Sénégal, 19 mai – 13 juin 2014

Microtrop est une formation intensive d’un mois en Ecologie Microbienne des sols tropicaux dédiée aux jeunes scientifiques (fin de thèse, post-doc, chercheurs ou enseignant-chercheurs nouvellement recrutés).
La formation comprend des cours, des démonstrations de laboratoire et des travaux. Les méthodes ciblées sont adéquates au développement de recherches en microbiologie des sols dans les pays du Sud. La formation est dispensée en anglais et comprend également la conduite d’un mini-projet de recherche par chacun des participants.
La formation sera suivie par 20 participants en provenance des pays du Sud, de France, d’Europe de l’Ouest et des Etats-Unis sélectionnés par le comité scientifique.

Pour plus d’information consultez le site web  www.ecoltrop.ird.fr ou téléchargez la plaquette et le formulaire de candidature.
Contact : ecoltrop.senegal@ird.fr

TEAGASC PhD Walsh Fellowship Opportunity

TEAGASC PHD WALSH FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Carbon Sequestration in Permanent Pasture and Arable soils – Baselines and Management Options

Ref: 2013203

Background

A large number of studies around the world show that grasslands may act as a sink of carbon (C) and that the rate of C sequestration is strongly dependent upon the management of these ecosystems. Considering that grassland comprises 4 million hectares or 90% of agricultural area, the size of Irish grassland sinks may be considerable. However, at present there are several obstacles associated with the measurement and verification of these agricultural sinks. These include quantification of grassland and arable C sinks across a range of soil types, and the assessment of strategies that enhance C sinks. This project seeks to quantify C baselines and investigate the impact of land management on arable and grassland systems. The project will determine soil C stocks in grassland and arable soils and assess the impact of soil type and management on soil C stocks. Soil C fractionation will be used to assess the allocation of SOC between labile and recalcitrant pools. The results of the project will be published in peer reviewed scientific journals.

Essential

Applicants should have a good primary degree (First or Second Class Honours) or M.Sc. in an appropriate discipline (Soil Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, etc.). The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and be prepared for extended periods of laboratory analysis. A full EU driving licence is also required.

Desirable

Additional desirable characteristics would include a familiarity with soil sampling and analysis and statistical analysis. Experience of environmental modelling would also be a distinct advantage. Information literacy and oral, written and graphical communication skills are important to this role.

Award

The Walsh Fellowship is a joint PhD research project between Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and the University of Limerick. The student will be based at the Teagasc Research Centre at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford and will be registered at the University of Limerick, working under the supervision of Dr. Ken Byrne in association with Teagasc supervisors (Dr Rachel Creamer and Dr. Gary Lanigan). The Fellowship will  start as soon as possible after the candidate is appointed. 

The fellowship provides a stipend of €21,000. University fees are paid by the student from the stipend which is tenable for three years.

Application Procedure

Submit an electronic copy of Curriculum Vitae in pdf format and a letter of interest to:

Dr Ken Byrne (ken.byrne@ul.ie).  

Closing date 

22^nd, February 2013.

Master of Science in Physical Land Resources

Tenable at Ghent University & Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Period: September 2013 - September 2015
Language: English
Number of VLIR-UOS Scholarships: 16
Promoter: Prof. E. Van Ranst (Ghent University)
Prof. W. Cornelis (Ghent University)
Prof. O. Batelaan (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Link to application form: www.plr.ugent.be/main.htm#application
Contact:
OPTION SOIL SCIENCE:
Ghent University
Physical Land Resources Programme Secretariat
T +32 (0)9 264 46 38
F +32 (0)9 264 49 91
plrprog.adm@ugent.be
www.plr.ugent.be/main.htm
OPTION LAND RESOURCES ENGINEERING:
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering
T +32 (0)2 629 30 21
F +32 (0)2 629 30 22
hydr@vub.ac.be
http://phylares.vub.ac.be

Programme content

A country’s physical land resources are fundamental for human life and welfare. Worldwide population pressure and severe degradation, pollution and desertification problems are threatening these natural resources leading to competition between agricultural and industrial purposes, urban planning and nature conservation. To guarantee proper use and management of what is a basic commodity for a nation, well-trained specialists are given thorough knowledge of the properties and characteristics of this natural resource and solid insight into factors and measures that may alter their actual state and value.

The purpose of the main subject in Soil Science is to train researchers, academics and government staff in the inventory and detailed characterisation of land capacity, particularly soils. Graduates understand the development and evolution of soils under natural conditions or following human interference, using field, map, laboratory and remote-sensing data. They have the knowledge to use and manage soil and water in a sustainable way and optimize land use. The main subject in Land Resources Engineering offers training in non-agricultural use and application of soil, and includes geotechnical aspects (use of soil as building material or for foundations, slope stability and stability of excavations), the role of soil water and groundwater for water management and supply, and soil management in relation to environment and land use (erosion, sediment transport, coastal development and protection).

The first year provides a general and comprehensive foundation in physical land resources and as such is accessible to students with a good scientific background who have a limited knowledge of physical land resources. The first year courses are mainly general courses and (25%) main subject courses in the field of either Soil Science or Land Resources Engineering. All 1st year courses are lectured at Ghent University. In the second year the student continue the same main subject as in the first year: students of the option Soil Science continue their studies at Ghent University and those of the option Land Resources Engineering will be lectured at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The first semester of the 2Nd year consists of 6 elective courses and the 2nd semester is fully reserved for the master dissertation. (30 credits out of 60). 

All courses have a theoretical and a practical part. Some courses include fieldwork and may be supplemented with excursions. The first year programme provides for informative and interdisciplinary seminars that allow students to participate actively and work independently. The thesis (second year) must be defended orally, in public before a jury.

Admission requirements

Each application will be evaluated by a board of admission of the specific programme and has to be approved by the Faculty Council and by the Rector’s office

i) Entry conditions
Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree of minimum 3 years with good overall scores (at least a second class or equivalent, preferably higher) from a university or recognized equivalent.

ii) Language knowledge
The applicant must be proficient in the language of the course or training programme, i.e. English. Command of the English language is a very important criterion for admission. With the exception of those who have a diploma (Secondary Education, Academic Bachelor Degree, Master Degree) issued by an institution officially recognized by the Flemish Government, applicants must be able to prove their proficiency in English. There are 4 possibilities to supply this proof:

1.     TOEFL certificate (the UGent TOEFL code is 2643) with:

•       a minimum total score of 550 on the paper based test, or

•       a minimum total score of 79 on an internet based test.

•        The test validity is max. 2 years.

2.     IELTS with a minimum overall band score of 6. The test validity is max. 2 years.

3.     Proof of at least 1 year of comprehensive English-based instruction at a university or recognized equivalent.

Remark: TOEFL/IELTS predictive tests are not acceptable.

iii) Specific academic admission criteria
Applicants are expected to have a basic science training in (1) mathematics or statistics and (2) chemistry or biochemistry, and an overall academic education background in a relevant discipline like (either) agriculture, biology, forestry, environment, land and water management, physical geography, geology or civil engineering. Relevant research or working experience of about 2 years is recommended but not a prerequisite, unless the former field of study (degree obtained) was not directly relevant for or pertaining to soil science or land resources engineering.

Type of diploma

Master degree

Application

ww.plr.ugent.be/main.htm#application

Soil Science: Healing Our Planet's Ills from the Ground Up

Under our feet and ubiquitous, lowly soil can be easily overlooked when it comes to addressing climate change and population growth. But in the January-February issue of the Soil Science Society of America Journal, a team of scientists say soil is an essential piece of the biosphere and more attention should be paid to protecting it. Strategies for doing so include refocusing and boosting research, and communicating its importance to the public.

 "The article is a call to better engage with each other and with those concerned about the coming stresses to the planet," said soil scientist Cesar Izaurralde of the Joint Global Change Research Institute in College Park, Md., a collaboration between the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., and the University of Maryland. "A better understanding of soils is needed to help us weather the changes, many of which will be around for future generations to contend with."

While people don't think much about soil, it quietly and continuously services life on Earth. Soil provides the basis for food and fiber production; it supports a diversity of plant, animal, and microbial life; it regulates nutrient cycles and gas exchange with the atmosphere; it cultures our inner feelings for home, for place, for renewal of spirit.

However, changes occurring to our planet are affecting the services provided by soil. Whether these changes are natural or stimulated by the activities of an ever-increasing population, there is an urgent need to rejuvenate the essential services provided by soil. After all, soil depletion has hastened the collapse of at least one society, the Greeks, and contributed to economic hardship as recently as the last century in the Great Plains of the United States.

The international team of researchers suggest how soil scientists and others can work together to devise strategies to save the soil for the benefit of the planet, the people that inhabit it now and in the future, and all other life that depends on human stewardship.

Representing the 2008 Emerging Issues in Soil Science Committee of the Soil Science Society of America, this team defined some of the most urgent questions that humanity will be facing in coming decades and explored ways that research in soil science might help address those questions.

In their broad discussion, the scientists address eight critical issues: demands for food, water, nutrients, and energy, and the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, biological waste recycling, and global resource equity.

For example, feeding the burgeoning population will require planning to protect the soil and environment, and managing soil can help people use dwindling pools of freshwater more wisely. Nutrients in the soil can be depleted, so it will be important to preserve soil's fertility while improving harvests. Climate change will undoubtedly affect the productivity and resilience of soil, and soil underpins the biodiversity of organisms large and small. Using soils to recycle biological wastes has the potential to replenish our invaluable renewable resources. Finally, soil is the skin of the planet Earth and as such must be viewed as a global resource managed locally.

The authors recommend four steps soil scientists should take to address these critical issues. They include refocusing research to the most urgent problems, broadening their vision from soil to entire ecosystems, enticing young scientists to pursue careers in the field, and improving soil science's image problem with better stories of its past successes and future prospects.

The conversations the researchers hope to elicit may help direct soil science toward greater relevance in preserving our fragile home on this changing planet.

Journal Reference:

1. H. H. Janzen, P.E. Fixen, A. J. Franzluebbers, J. Hattey, R. C. Izaurralde, Q. M. Ketterings, D. A. Lobb, W. H. Schlesinger. Global Prospects Rooted in Soil Science. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 2011; 75 (1): 1 DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2009.0216

Source

DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (2011, February 9). Soil science: Healing our planet's ills from the ground up. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 23, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2011/02/110209151312.htm

Faculty Alumni Corner

Studied at the Faculty of Agriculture - College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences (CAVS)?

We are interested to know where you are now, what you are doing (whether tarmacking, employed or entreprenuering (in business). Particularly give us a link to your organization or business and let us know the possibility of attaching current students in for field practice, or fresh graduates for professional field mentoring.

Hola us through the Contact Us, or leave a comment to this post. Thank you.
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Land Resource Management & Agricultural Technology History

Was Soil Science, and Range Management, Now LARMAT

Under Construction.............Watch this space :)