PhD Studentship: Landscape-scale conservation of
pollinating insects in the lowland British countryside
£13590 per annum (including £1000 research
expenses budget) and tuition fees for 3 years
The University of Northampton invites
applications for a three year full-time
studentship in the Landscape and Biodiversity
Research Group of the School of Science and Technology.
Insects such as bees, flies and butterflies
provide an essential ecosystem service by
pollinating crops and wild plants. There is
growing evidence that pollinator numbers have
declined significantly due to rapid environmental
change, particularly habitat loss, intensive
agriculture and climate change. In order to halt
and reverse these declines, effective
conservation strategies must be adopted, based on
a sound understanding of the ecology of the
pollinators and the landscapes on which they
depend. The conservation of species requires an
understanding of their resource requirements if
habitats are to be effectively managed to support
those taxa. This project will study how lowland
British landscapes support the major groups of
wild pollinators in terms of both the floral
resources that are provided (particularly by the
core generalist plants at the centre of
communities) and nesting/egg laying sites, larval
food plants and other requirements. The study
will focus on the landscapes along the River Nene Valley.
Applications are welcomed from national or
international candidates with a first degree
(first or upper second, or equivalent) or a
Masters degree in the area of ecology, biology or
geography. Due to the significant amount of field
work involved applicants must be able to travel effectively.
Deadline for applications: 13th February 2012
Interviews will be held in the week commencing 27th February 2012
Informal enquiries can be made to
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
For an application pack please email:
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
Please quote reference UN12POLL
Dr Jeff Ollerton
Reader in Biodiversity
Research and Knowledge Transfer Coordinator
Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences
School of Science and Technology
University of Northampton
Newton Building
Avenue Campus
Northampton
NN2 6JD
UK
<http://oldweb.northampton.ac.uk/aps/env/lbrg>http://oldweb.northampton.ac.uk/aps/env/lbrg
