MRes Research Funding at SCENE

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The Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE) is the field station of the University of Glasgow. As part of the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, within the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS), SCENE is dedicated to excellence in field research and teaching.

SCENE is the foremost field station for research and teaching in ecology and environmental sciences in Scotland. It is situated in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, within 1 hour commute by car to the main University campus. Today’s research is on a wide range of topics across ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, environmental change and disease ecology.

Funding is available to applicants for the MRes Ecology and Environmental Biology who wish to undertake research work at SCENE. The funding covers year-round accommodation (equivalent in value to approximately £4,000) while undertaking the MRes programme. It is intended to encourage high quality field-based research and provide the opportunity for students to fully participate in research activities at the field station. Successful students over the past two years have undertaken projects on migration of Atlantic salmon smolts in freshwater and marine systems, thermal ecology of woodland birds and pathogen-host dynamics of Lyme’s disease in wild deer.

Successful applicants will be provided with accommodation and utilities, consisting of modern en-suite single rooms with communal kitchen and sitting room. Students will also be given access to excellent office, laboratory and research facilities, including aquaria. Field research in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats is well supported, with immediate access to field sites by foot or by boat. Pets are not allowed due to restricted space in shared accommodation and for allergy risks to other residents.

Please be aware that you will be required to attend classes on the main University campus throughout the year, so the ability to drive and having your own transport is advantageous but not a requirement.

Eligibility

Applications are open to prospective students who have received a conditional or unconditional offer of a place on the MRes Ecology and Environmental Biology programme. Please make sure you apply well in advance for the MRes so that you hold an offer when applying for this funding.

How to apply

You should apply by covering letter (maximum 2 pages of A4), along with a copy of your CV. In your covering letter, you should address the following:

1. How do your interests overlap with research at SCENE?
2. In what ways would this opportunity to live and work at SCENE benefit your future career?

To help you write your covering letter, you will find information about SCENE-supported research on the research section of the SCENE website.

Applications should be emailed as a single PDF file to mvls-ecolbio@glasgow.ac.uk, no later than Wednesday 1 May 2024. Your application will be acknowledged on receipt.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview by Zoom/Teams.

Information enquires are welcomed and should be sent to Dominic McCafferty, the MRes programme lead: dominic@maccafferty@glasgow.ac.uk.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email mvls-ecolbio@glasgow.ac.uk.