PhD Scholarship - Managing large N2O emissions from supplemental feed production

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent and long-lived greenhouse gas and represents 20% of New Zealand’s agricultural emissions. Very Large N2O emissions have been observed for supplemental feed crops in pasture-based farming, and with 290,000 ha supplemental feed planted annually, strategies to reduce N2O from supplemental feed production are needed.
This PhD project will determine N2O emissions during establishment of different supplemental feeds using soil chambers. Concurrently, they will determine carbon balances and N2O emissions using eddy covariance techniques for comparison. Subsequently, potential mitigation strategies will be tested in plot studies.
The PhD candidate will develop expertise in chamber measurements of N2O emissions and analysis and conducting field work aimed at testing mitigation strategies. They will receive training in analysis of large datasets. They will also be exposed to eddy covariance techniques broadly with a focus on carbon balance and N2O fluxes. The candidate will be embedded in a group that has strong track record in how to improve animal production systems, develop GHG mitigation technology and conduct research.
Host institute(s) and location(s): University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. University of Waikato :: University of Waikato

Project leader(s)/research supervisor:
Professor Louis Schipper (University of Waikato) – Louis has supervised 17 PhD students and co-supervisor of a further 22 PhD students. Louis has supported postdocs and students to publish more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed literature and many of these former postdocs and students now work in Crown Research Organisations (including Manaaki Whenua, AgResearch, NIWA, GNS), Universities, or have scientist roles in the private and policy sectors.
The project will also be co-supervised by Dr Aaron Wall (University of Waikato), Dr Jiafa Luo (AgResearch Ltd), Associate Professor Dave Campbell (University of Waikato).
 

Entry requirements
Preferred candidate skills experience:

• Ideally, experience or strong understanding of measurement of greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide, and the ability and motivation to learn chamber and eddy covariance techniques.
• Completed Masters/Honors research thesis in environmental or agricultural sciences.
• Experience or detailed knowledge of greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation strategies.
• Experience in field and laboratory work.
• A background in Matlab, R Studio or similar scripting computer language.
• Exposure to micro-meteorological approaches considered an advantage.
• License for driving in New Zealand is a requirement.

Are you eligible?

• The scholarship programme will be open to New Zealand citizens, residents and international candidates who can meet the appropriate visa requirements.
• Although it is expected that recipients should be intending to study/work full time, this programme will provide the flexibility required to support a diverse pipeline of researchers by considering individual circumstances, career breaks and time for societal/community/cultural contributions.
• The programme will be looking for a diversity of skills across the successful applicants and encourages those wishing to build Māori research and knowledge capability across the R&D pipeline.
• PhD applicants must be eligible at the time of application to register as a candidate for a Doctoral degree in the respective New Zealand Institution or expect to become eligible by 30/06/2025.

Candidates who already have a doctorate in an applicable/related field are not eligible for consideration.

The NZAGRC PhD scholarship is offered to students selected for Managing large N2O emissions from supplemental feed production PhD projects, working towards reducing New Zealand’s agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

The scholarship includes:

• A tax-free annual stipend of $44,008 per year, for up to three years.
• New Zealand University annual tuition fees and associated student levies of up to $10,000 per year, for up to three years
• Contribution to research & publication costs, up to $10,000 total.

Travel allowance to present at an international conference, up to $10,000 total.