SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College, delivers comprehensive skills, education and business support for Scotland’s land-based industry founded on world class, sector leading research, education and consultancy. Our 1500 staff are located on 6 campuses and around 40 business units across Scotland and the North of England.

Concerns over food security, climate change and the environmental impacts of agriculture are driving producers to develop more sustainable farming systems. The development of sustainable agriculture requires analysis of the environmental, economic and social implications of agriculture practices. These objectives are sometimes conflicting and there is a need to understand the trade-offs between them at the farm level.  This PhD project will examine the sustainability of current Scottish arable farming systems using a multi-criteria analysis approach. Results will be tested against data on biophysical indicators of sustainability collected on farms. The project will also test the impact of potential agricultural policy reforms on the sustainability of Scottish arable farming.

The student will be registered for a PhD at the University of Edinburgh and will be based within the Crop and Soil Systems Research Group at SRUC, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh. Applicants should have or expect to obtain a minimum of an upper second class honours degree in agriculture, environmental sciences and/or biological sciences. Applicants should ideally have an understanding of arable systems and have experience of data handling and analysis. Excellent oral and writing skills are required. A clean and valid UK/ European driving licence is desirable.

The studentship offers a stipend of £13,726 per annum and is funded to pay the University of Edinburgh tuition fees for UK/EU students. Expected start date is October 2013 and this studentship is 3.5 years in length.

Online applications for this post can be submitted via the ‘Apply’ button below. Alternatively application packs can be requested from audrey.johnstone@sruc.ac.uk      Tel 0131 535 4028 quoting reference SRUC/1027319/Watson Please note that CV’s will not be accepted without a completed application form. To have an informal discussion about this studentship, contact Dr Christine Watson, SRUC, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 711143 christine.watson@sruc.ac.uk or Dr Kairsty Topp, SRUC, Edinburgh Tel: 0131 535 4026 kairsty.topp@sruc.ac.uk

The closing date for the return of applications is 5pm on 26 July 2013