Applications are invited for a two-year MSc by Research project at the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES) and the Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork, supervised by Professor Astrid Wingler and Dr Markus Eichhorn.

The MSc studentship is funded by Eli Lilly and Company as part of a project on the “Conservation of meadow barley (Hordeum secalinum) - Impact of translocation and of climate change on the grassland community”.

Restoration of semi-natural grasslands, including lowland hay meadows, is important to support ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, erosion reduction, flood protection, control of pests and diseases and pollinator support. Sod transplantation and green hay transfer have been recommended for the ecological restoration of meadows. Meadow barley (Hordeum secalinum) grows mainly in damp grasslands and is a high-quality positive indicator of lowland hay meadows. H. secalinum, is considered vulnerable in Ireland and protected under the Flora (Protection) Order 2022.

To conserve H. secalinum, grassland sods were translocated at the Lilly Raheen site near Limerick. This project aims to monitor the impact of the translocation and of climate change on the ecology of H. secalinum and the grassland community.

The MSc project

The MSc project will optimise methods for the translocation and conservation of grassland species including H. secalinum. The sod translocation will be compared to direct seeding and green hay transfer. In addition, plants will be grown from seed at UCC under conditions that simulate present and future temperature and precipitation conditions to inform conservation methods in a future climate.  

Funding

The MSc by Research position is funded for two years. It includes a tax-free stipend of €25,000 p.a. and tuition fees covered at the EU rate.

Start date

1 April 2024

Eligibility criteria

Essential:

• A 1.1 or 2.1 BSc honours degree (or equivalent) in biology, botany/plant science, ecology, conservation or related subject.
• A good understanding of or strong interest in plant ecology and/or plant physiology.
• A strong understanding of experimental design, data analysis and statistics.
• Willingness to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent organisational skills
• Experience of conducting field work.
• Full, clean driving licence.

Desirable:

• Evidence of having completed a research project.