Two NERC algorithm funded PhD studentships are currently available with the PCRG. The projects are focused on understanding past environmental change in west tropical Africa and Amazonian-Andean Ecuador. Both projects will involve field work and build on on-going research within the lab.
Closing date 31/01/2013
One project will work on samples collected during fieldwork in 2012 near Papallacta (Ecuador).
Further project details and how to apply below…
TITLE: Characterization of tropical African ecosystems by their modern pollen/spore spectra
SUPERVISORS: William Gosling, Encarni Montoya, Emma Sayer and Yadvinder Malhi (University of Oxford)
HIGHLIGHTS:
– Investigate the dynamics of modern tropical forest and savannah ecosystems
– Develop a comprehensive understanding of modern pollen-vegetation relationships
– Provide new insight into past vegetation change
– Field work in Ghana, Africa
For further information of this specific project click here.
TITLE: Tropical forests response to past global climate change
SUPERVISORS: Encarni Montoya, William Gosling, Angela Coe and Patricia Mothes (Instituto Geofísico, Quito)
HIGHLIGHTS:
– Field work in Ecuador
– Reconstruct past climate-vegetation-human linkages during glacial and interglacial periods
– Research the main drivers of vegetation dynamics in Amazonian forests
– Training in micro fossil (pollen and charcoal) and macro fossil (wood) analysis
For further information of this specific project click here.
If you would like to apply or have any queries about this project please contact the first named supervisor either by email (William.Gosling@open.ac.uk) enclosing a brief letter of motivation, a full academic CV and the names and addresses of three academic referees.
For furter information on all projects currently on offer in the Department of Environment, Earth & Ecosystems at The Open University please click here.
Ecology of the past 