Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR) - PhD Studentships

Applications are invited from final year undergraduates or masters students for funded CRPR PhD studentships to commence in October 2010.

Candidates may apply for one or more of these studentships.

Studentships

1) Future Farming: An Investigation of the Likely Impact of Higher Energy Costs on SW Agriculture using Farm Business Survey data

Supervisors: Professor Michael Winter and Dr Matt Lobley (Politics) and Richard Soffe (Duchy College).

We are looking for someone to conduct research that addresses a pressing problem in the era of climate change and peak oil. How dependent is contemporary agriculture on oil? Can the detailed FBS farm accounting data tell us which types of farming are less oil-dependent than others? What would be the implications for profitability of higher oil prices and what management steps could famers take in response? What are the prospects for reducing agriculture’s dependency on oil? These are the questions to be tackled in this PhD.

We wish to appoint a numerate social scientist with a demonstrable interest in Agricultural Economics, Environmental Management and Rural Policy. He/she should be committed to conducting doctoral research to a high standard in one of the leading research universities in the country. Alongside the pursuit of academic excellence, the successful candidate will be committed to research that is applied and relevant to the agricultural industry and to policy.    

We would also welcome applications for studentships covering either of the following themes:

2)  Farming Futures in the Uplands.

Supervisors: Professor Michael Winter and Dr Matt Lobley (Politics).

3) Food Security and Land Use: The International Policy Challenge.

Supervisors: Professor Michael Winter and Dr Rob Fish (Politics).

The studentship will cover Home/EU fees of £3,500 per annum and maintenance stipend of £13,290 per annum for three years.  International students will be required to pay the difference between the Home/EU fee and International Fee.

How to apply

Applicants should submit a formal online application for a PhD in Politics, including two academic references and email a copy of their CV  and covering letter to Elizabeth Hull (huss-pgadmissions@exeter.ac.uk) by March 29th.  Please clearly state in your email to Elizabeth which of the above studentships you wish to be considered for. Further details are also available from Elizabeth Hull (huss-pgadmissions@ex.ac.uk) or telephone 01392 724490.

All applicants should submit a covering letter outlining academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project.