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May 2, 2017

Undergraduate research experience placement in freshwater phosphorus mitigation at the British Geological Survey, Nottingham

Paid summer placement opportunity

A funded opportunity is available for an undergraduate student (subject to eligibility, see below) to be part of research at the British Geological Survey (Nottingham) during the summer 2017. The opportunity is part of the research of Dr Barry Rawlins and Dr Andy Tye, and will focus on a new approach to mitigating phosphorus(P)  losses to freshwater streams from agriculture.  The main laboratory work will involve aggregating iron ochre (a strong P adsorbent) with a range of minerals and testing its suitability to trap P, for subsequent recycling to land. The work will run from the last week in July until the end of September (flexible), and will be supported by a student stipend of £200 per week supported by the soils training and research studentships (STARS) NERC-BBSRC scheme. The opportunity will provide experience in biogeochemistry and mineralogy, training in laboratory methods (analytical skills), and visit potential fieldsites in East Anglia.

If you want to gain insight and experience in freshwater biogeochemistry and lab skills, grow and develop your CV, all whilst earning some money, send a short (less than one A4 page) letter of motivation to Barry Rawlins (bgr@bgs.ac.uk) by the end of May. If you need further details, or to discuss the opportunity, please drop me a line by email.

Dr Barry Rawlins

British Geological Survey

 

Please note the following eligibility criteria. Applicants should:

  • be studying for an undergraduate degree in a quantitative discipline outside of NERC’s scientific remit (e.g. mathematics, statistics, computing, engineering, physics)
  • be applying for a placement in a different department to their undergraduate degree,
  • be undertaking their first undergraduate degree studies (or integrated Masters),
  • be expected to obtain a first or upper second class UK honours degree,
  • be eligible for subsequent NERC PhD funding (i.e. UK, EU or right to remain in the UK.