Project Description

Forests in Ireland are important for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and timber production. Soils, vegetation, and birds are among the key aspects of forest biodiversity which are affected by management operations such as clear-felling. Both coniferous plantations and native woodlands hold great potential for improving landscape-level biodiversity and carbon storage, but considerable uncertainty surrounds the management approaches best suited to achieve these goals.

C-BioStock will classify site ecological changes in two contrasting management systems at a series of developmental stages to accurately evaluate how biodiversity changes in second and subsequent rotation coniferous forests and native woodlands. Specifically, the response of soil biodiversity (using metabarcoding methods and hill series calculations) to clear-felling will be investigated by comparing a mature stand prior to harvesting with a chronosequence of developing reforestation sites and native woodlands at different developmental stages.

The research will use two methods of terrestrial LiDAR and traditional field sampling methods.

Why This Scholarship Stands Out

This PhD is unique because it combines cutting-edge remote sensing technology (terrestrial LiDAR) with traditional field sampling and molecular methods (metabarcoding) to assess forest biodiversity and carbon stocks. The project addresses a critical knowledge gap: how do forest management practices affect soil biodiversity and carbon storage across different forest types (coniferous plantations vs. native woodlands)? You will work within a team of three PhD students across SETU, UCC, and UCD, providing a collaborative research environment. The €25,000 stipend plus tuition coverage is competitive for Irish PhD positions. For a student interested in forest ecology, soil science, or biodiversity monitoring, this is an opportunity to contribute to evidence-based forest management in Ireland.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate the response of soil biodiversity to clear-felling using metabarcoding methods
• Compare mature stands prior to harvesting with chronosequences of developing reforestation sites
• Study native woodlands at different developmental stages
• Use terrestrial LiDAR and traditional field sampling methods
• Collaborate with two other PhD students at UCC and UCD

Candidate Profile and Eligibility

Desirable:

• Good primary degree in forestry
• Experience in soil sampling
• Experience working in forestry
• Experience in environmental consultancy or surveying sectors
• Experience in microbiology
• Experience in forest ecology

What They Offer

My Application Strategy

1. Highlight your forestry and ecology knowledge – This is essential for the position
2. Emphasize any soil sampling experience – Soil biodiversity assessment is a core component
3. Show experience with microbiology or metabarcoding – Molecular methods are used for soil biodiversity
4. Demonstrate field sampling skills – The role requires extensive fieldwork
5. Mention your EU driving licence – This is a requirement
6. Ensure English language requirements are met – Provide evidence in your application

Who Should Apply

This PhD is perfect for a student with a background in ecology, soil science, or forestry who is interested in how forest management affects biodiversity and carbon storage. If you enjoy field sampling, are excited by new technologies like LiDAR, and want to understand the trade-offs between commercial forestry and conservation, this project offers training across soil science, molecular ecology, and remote sensing. Candidates with a forestry degree are especially encouraged. The ideal candidate is someone who wants to contribute to evidence-based forest management in Ireland.

Useful Links

• PhD Plant Microbiome Cereals Germany | ZALF Leibniz Centre
• PhD Cetacean Veterinary Pathology Spain | Universidad de Las Palmas
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