2 Post Doc positions in University College Cork
http://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/vacancies/research/full-details-648492-en.html
http://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/vacancies/research/full-details-648496-en.html
1 Post Doc position in NUI Galway
NUIG 020-16, Research FellowSatellite Remote Sensing Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies (C-CAPS), School of Physics, NUI Galway
- Teagasc PhD Walsh Fellowship Opportunity
“National farm scale estimates of grass yield using remote sensing”
Teagasc Walsh Fellowships, 2016 Ref: 2016051
Background
Grass, either as pasture or winter fodder, is the main feedstuff on Irish farms, therefore it is important to measure its growth rate and yield across Ireland (including with respect to soils and environmental conditions). Earth observation technologies are the only feasible way to give national estimates of grass yield for Ireland at a high spatial and temporal resolution.
This PhD will build on recent work done by the spatial analysis group in Teagasc and UCC on grassland monitoring through machine learning of optical satellite data. The original model, using advanced, data-rich algorithms for a limited number of sites to relate grass biomass to optically derived vegetation indices, was built using seasonal time series data from the MODIS sensor but insufficient ground data prevented extension of this work to a national scale. Additionally, national estimates of current grass growth conditions compared to decadal averages have been derived, again based on MODIS data, but the spatial resolution of this instrument compared to Irish field sizes has proven problematic.
The main goal of this PhD research is to combine these two approaches, drawing on high resolution data acquired by recently launched Landsat and ESA Sentinel-2 satellites, with a database of weekly grass growth rates on 300+ farms, to build a national model for farm scale (~1Ha resolution) frequent estimates of current grass biomass.
Requirements
Applicants should have a good primary degree (First or Upper Second Class Honours), and preferably an M.Sc. in an appropriate discipline (Remote Sensing, Agriculture, Computer Science, Physics, etc.). The successful candidate should be highly self-motivated and a good communicator in both oral and written format. Experience of computer programming would be an advantage.
Award
The PhD Fellowship is a joint research project between Teagasc, Ashtown, and the Department of Geography, University College Cork (UCC). The student will be based, in the first instance, at UCC working under the supervision of Dr. Fiona Cawkwell, followed by a move to Ashtown, Dublin under Teagasc supervisor Stuart Green. The Fellowship will start as soon as possible after 1st of October 2016 when the most suitable candidate is appointed.
The fellowship provides a stipend of €22,000. University fees are paid by the student from the stipend which is tenable for 4 years.
Further Information/Applications
Dr Fiona Cawkwell, Department of Geography, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland
Phone +353 (0)21 490 2707 email: f.cawkwell@ucc.ie
Stuart Green, REDP, Teagasc, Ashtown Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Republic of Ireland
Phone +353 (0)1 805 9955 email: stuart.green@teagasc.ie
Application Procedure
Submit an electronic copy of Curriculum Vitae and a letter of interest simultaneously to:
Dr Fiona Cawkwell (f.cawkwell@ucc.ie) and Stuart Green (stuart.green@teagasc.ie)
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