environmental sciences | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 2

2011 Fully Funded Environmental Sciences PhD Studentship, University of East Anglia, UK

This fully funded studentship is available to start in 2011, under the supervision of Dr Charlie Wilson in the internationally renowned School of Environmental Sciences. (95% of research activity classified as internationally leading, excellent or recognised, RAE 2008). Funding is available for UK/EU students. Funding awarded for this project will cover tuition fees and stipend for UK students. EU students may be eligible for full funding, or tuition fees only, depending on the funding source. International students will not be eligible for this funding however they are still welcome to apply for the project but would have to find alternative funding.This PhD position is in the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, starting October 2011. The topic of the PhD is pro-environmental behaviour with an emphasis on climate change mitigation. The goal is to use different behavioural and/or social science research methods to ‘triangulate’ the insights gained from any one particular line of enquiry. This may involve the application of different behavioural theories and models. ‘Triangulation’ here could mean comparing, contrasting, integrating … or demonstrating that integration is not possible. Research methods may include: controlled (lab) experiments; field experiments; cross-sectional surveys; focus groups; interviews; in situ observation. Combinations of experimental and other methods will be encouraged.
The specific research question to be tackled using this mixed methods approach is open. It may focus on a particular behaviour, or pro-environmental behaviour more generally. Applicants are encouraged to propose their own ideas with appropriate reasoning. This may be through an outline research proposal (max. 1-2 pages) which can be attached to the application form. Such proposals should give a sense of how the applicant may use mixed methods as part of an inter-disciplinary enquiry. Examples of research questions include: (1) Does one pro-environmental behaviour make another one more likely (spillover effect) or less likely (saturation effect), and to what extent does this depend on the behavioural context? (2) Are physical visibility or ‘social visibility’ important determinants of pro-environmental behaviour, and to what extent are these attributes correlated? (‘Social visibility’ implies communication through social networks). (3) What influence does excessive choice have on pro-environmental behaviour, and how much is excessive? Eligible applicants should have: (1) an academic background to Masters degree level in a behavioural, public health and/or environmental discipline; (2) experience designing and applying one or more behavioural and/or social science research methods; (3) an interest in inter-disciplinarity and applied research; (4) a willingness to contribute actively to the Tyndall Centre researcher network. Initiative and the ability to think creatively and work independently is also a must. Applicants with practical experience of behavioural work or behaviour change interventions in policy, business, NGOs or other fields are encouraged.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 20 April 2011.

Further Scholarship Information and Application

2012-2013 Fulbright-Nehru Environmental Leadership Program, USA: Environmental Information/Systems Reporting, Environmental Education, Environmental Policy, Regulations and Law,Environmental Sciences and Toxicology

The program will combine short-term practical training/internship with opportunities for networking with American counterpart organizations. Selected fellows will be placed at U.S. environmental public/private or non-governmental organizations, academic institutions or research centers and environment related government agencies. Fellows will be expected to explore future linkages between Indian and American organizations with common agendas.

Grant Benefits
The fellowships provide round-trip economy class air travel from India to the U.S., a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines, modest settling-in allowance and a professional allowance. No allowance or travel is provided for dependents and the stipend provided under the grant is not sufficient to support family members. Scholars with accompanying dependents must have adequate personal funds to support their stay in the U.S.

Eligibility Requirements
In addition the General Prerequisities for all, the application should:

*preferably have a master’s or a professional degree of at least four years duration;
*have at least five years of professional experience in the respective field; and
* preferably be 50 years of age or under.

Special attention will be given to applicants who demonstrate involvement in cooperative efforts between academia, research institutions, government, industry and non-governmental organizations to make practical contributions to environmental policies and programs

Scholarship Application Deadline: 15 July 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

PhD Studentship in Ocean Biogeochemistry, MPI-M, Germany

The applicant will be part of the Research Group Ocean Biogeochemistry in the Department The Ocean in the Earth System. The research will focus on reconstructing the ocean carbon cycle and its interactions with climate during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. The main tool will be the existing Earth system model of the MPI-M, which includes the ocean biogeochemistry model HAMOCC. One of the objectives of the project will be to improve our understanding of the PETM and its potential to serve as an analogue of the future climate perturbations due to anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

Requirements: We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a M.Sc. or diploma in Geosciences, Oceanography, Environmental Sciences, Physics or a related field. Experience, or a strong interest in biogeochemistry and modeling is of advantage. Good programming skills (FORTRAN on Unix platforms) are desirable, since the applicant will use facilities of the high performance computing centre. The working language is English. The MPI-M encourages doctoral students to participate in the International Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modeling.

Scholarship Application Deadline: before 15th of March 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application