Student Opportunity Announcements
PhD Scholarship-Nitrogen cycling in vegetated coastal systems along the East Coast of Australia
N2O is a potent greenhouse gas with marine sources
estimated to contribute about 30% of natural global load.
However, the contribution from the coastal zone, in particular
seagrass and mangrove systems, is poorly constrained. High
rates of nitrification and denitrification occur in tropical
seagrass and mangrove sediments driven by heterotrophic
respiration (see Eyre et al., 2011. Biogeochemistry 102, 111-
133). N2O is by-product of nitrification and an intermediate
during denitrification suggesting that these sediments may
make a significant contribution to coastal N2O emissions. This
fully funded project will study a number of vegetated coastal
systems along the east coast of Australia using a combination
of in situ N2O concentration and stable isotope measurements
using cutting-edge cavity ring down spectroscopy, benthic
process measurements and stable isotope 15N labelling
experiments. With this technology we aim to determine not
only the flux of N2O but also identify which mechanisms are
driving N2O release in these coastal sediments.
Applicants will need to have an Honours or Master degree in a
field such as biogeochemistry, environmental chemistry, or a
closely related field. The project will involve extended periods
in the field, sometimes in remote areas. The PhD scholarship
will provide a tax free stipend of $23,728 and tuition fees will
be exempt. Interested applicants should send their CV
highlighting their research background in this area to Prof.
Bradley Eyre – (bradley.eyre@scu.edu.au). Only short-listed
applicants will be notified. Closing date December 2, 2012
although may extend longer if position is not filled. Starting
date is flexible.
The project will be undertaken in the Centre for Coastal
Biogeochemistry (www.scu.edu.au/coastal-biogeochemistry)
at Southern Cross University which received the highest rank
of 5.0, well above world average, in geochemistry in the most
recent assessment of research excellence by the Australian
government.