current vacancies: PhD Position Available
PLEASE NOTE, THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NEW ZEALAND TIME, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS AHEAD OF EUROPE AND 16 HOURS AHEAD OF EDT IN THE US.
PhD studentship in predicting and scaling the benefits of trees on farms
School of Biological Sciences
University of Canterbury, New Zealand
We have and opening for one PhD student to be based in the lab of Prof. Jason Tylianakis at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, working in collaboration with Prof. Sandra Lavorel (CNRS France) and Dr. Dan Richards (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, New Zealand).
Project background
The PhD project will contribute to a larger project that aims to test how tactical establishment of groups of trees in rural landscapes enhances economic, environmental (climate resilience and carbon sequestration), and social values of farming, while contributing to the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
This PhD project specifically will focus on understanding other (non-carbon-related) benefits of trees in farming landscapes. There will be some flexibility for the candidate to develop the specific research project, but it may combine systematic review of the literature (to synthesise known benefits) with spatial simulation to determine how placement of trees can be optimised to maximise benefits.
For our previous work that has shaped our thinking on this project, see also:
Lavorel, S., Grigulis, K., Richards, D.R., Etherington, T.E., Law, R., Herzig, A., 2022. Templates for multifunctional landscape design. Landscape Ecology 37, 913–934.
Rand TA, Tylianakis JM, Tscharntke T. 2006. Spillover edge effects: the dispersal of agriculturally subsidized insect natural enemies into adjacent natural habitats. Ecology Letters 9(5):603-14.
Creutzberg C, Lagisz M, Nakagawa S, Brockerhoff EG, Tylianakis JM. 2021 Consistent trade‐offs in ecosystem services between land covers with different production intensities. Biological Reviews 96(5):1989-2008.
Who you are
You must have completed an undergraduate degree and Honours or Master's degree (with a significant research component) in ecology or a related field. A strong background in data analysis, ideally using R, and evidence of motivation to publish would be an advantage. Once selected, the preferred candidate would then need to apply to study at The University of Canterbury and meet the institutional criteria for entry prior to the scholarship being confirmed (check whether you meet these requirements here).
You must be able to start the position no later than mid 2023.
Who you will work with
You will be based in the lab group of Jason Tylianakis, but will work collaboratively with Sandra Lavorel and Dan Richards. The Tylianakis lab has a strong focus on understanding the impacts of environmental change on ecological communities and nature’s contributions to people. Our lab is diverse and interdisciplinary in thought and approach, and strives to cultivate an open, safe and supportive environment that values creativity, diversity, integrity and collaboration. We would therefore welcome applications from under-represented groups.
Funding notes
The 3-year PhD Scholarship provides an annual stipend of NZ$35,000 tax-free, in addition covers full university tuition fees, and the project has additional funding towards research expenses.
How you apply
To apply, please provide a cover letter that addresses your research interests and experience, and specific directions in which you would like to see this position go. Please also provide a Curriculum Vitae including contact information for three referees. Please combine your cover letter and CV as a single pdf file (with your name in the file name).
Applications should be emailed to jason.tylianakis@canterbury.ac.nz with “PhD in functional spillover” in the subject line of your email.
The closing date for this position is: 17 March 2023 (midnight, NZ time)
School of Biological Sciences
University of Canterbury, New Zealand
We have and opening for one PhD student to be based in the lab of Prof. Jason Tylianakis at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, working in collaboration with Prof. Sandra Lavorel (CNRS France) and Dr. Dan Richards (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, New Zealand).
Project background
The PhD project will contribute to a larger project that aims to test how tactical establishment of groups of trees in rural landscapes enhances economic, environmental (climate resilience and carbon sequestration), and social values of farming, while contributing to the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
This PhD project specifically will focus on understanding other (non-carbon-related) benefits of trees in farming landscapes. There will be some flexibility for the candidate to develop the specific research project, but it may combine systematic review of the literature (to synthesise known benefits) with spatial simulation to determine how placement of trees can be optimised to maximise benefits.
For our previous work that has shaped our thinking on this project, see also:
Lavorel, S., Grigulis, K., Richards, D.R., Etherington, T.E., Law, R., Herzig, A., 2022. Templates for multifunctional landscape design. Landscape Ecology 37, 913–934.
Rand TA, Tylianakis JM, Tscharntke T. 2006. Spillover edge effects: the dispersal of agriculturally subsidized insect natural enemies into adjacent natural habitats. Ecology Letters 9(5):603-14.
Creutzberg C, Lagisz M, Nakagawa S, Brockerhoff EG, Tylianakis JM. 2021 Consistent trade‐offs in ecosystem services between land covers with different production intensities. Biological Reviews 96(5):1989-2008.
Who you are
You must have completed an undergraduate degree and Honours or Master's degree (with a significant research component) in ecology or a related field. A strong background in data analysis, ideally using R, and evidence of motivation to publish would be an advantage. Once selected, the preferred candidate would then need to apply to study at The University of Canterbury and meet the institutional criteria for entry prior to the scholarship being confirmed (check whether you meet these requirements here).
You must be able to start the position no later than mid 2023.
Who you will work with
You will be based in the lab group of Jason Tylianakis, but will work collaboratively with Sandra Lavorel and Dan Richards. The Tylianakis lab has a strong focus on understanding the impacts of environmental change on ecological communities and nature’s contributions to people. Our lab is diverse and interdisciplinary in thought and approach, and strives to cultivate an open, safe and supportive environment that values creativity, diversity, integrity and collaboration. We would therefore welcome applications from under-represented groups.
Funding notes
The 3-year PhD Scholarship provides an annual stipend of NZ$35,000 tax-free, in addition covers full university tuition fees, and the project has additional funding towards research expenses.
How you apply
To apply, please provide a cover letter that addresses your research interests and experience, and specific directions in which you would like to see this position go. Please also provide a Curriculum Vitae including contact information for three referees. Please combine your cover letter and CV as a single pdf file (with your name in the file name).
Applications should be emailed to jason.tylianakis@canterbury.ac.nz with “PhD in functional spillover” in the subject line of your email.
The closing date for this position is: 17 March 2023 (midnight, NZ time)