The third newsletter for the Croplands Research Group is available now.
In this edition, you can read about:
- The potential of agroecology related measures in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change
- The global nitrogen challenge: highlighting co-benefits from strategic interventions
- The European Union’s five missions aimed at reaching rural sustainability
- The new book “Agroforestry for Sustainable Agriculture”
- The OPEN2PRESERVE Project
- Upcoming events
Please click on the titles below to read more:
- Understanding carbon fluxes and transformations for greenhouse gas mitigation in cropping systems
- Carbon flows and microbial processes affecting soil organic carbon in intensive biomass production systems
- Climate impact of novel fertilisers for organic cropping systems
Applications close 1 November 2019 at noon (11.59 AM CET).
The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in collaboration with the Basque Centre For Climate Change (BC3) are offering a 3-year scholarship to pursue a PhD thesis in the field of “Modelling of Sustainable Dairy Production Systems for Key European Areas”.
They are looking for a motivated skilled candidate to join their dynamic research team.
You can read more about this role and the application process here.
The Position
Aarhus University seeks a highly motivated postdoc with a background in microbiology and environmental sciences for a two-year position to address the research questions below:
1) Validate an in-vitro method for measurement of methane emissions, as basis for inventories and modelling of mitigation scenarios (European collaborative research “Manure management for methane mitigation – Improved inventory modelling to support policy actions”)
2) Explore a new method to exploit microbial methane oxidation in natural crust covers on manure storages (part of a comprehensive national study to investigate mitigation strategies for livestock production).
Further information
Manure storage is a main source of methane from livestock production, and methods to verify, predict and prevent emissions are urgently needed.
The successful candidate will work within a research environment that is specialised in nutrient management and environmental impacts of agriculture. Aarhus University has a long track record in studying the microbial ecology of greenhouse gas emissions from manure and soil. The research questions and technical solutions to be addressed were conceived on the basis of past research at the department.
Read more information about the position, including qualifications sought for the role here.
Applications close 31 October 2019 at 23:59 CET.
The Position
Associate Professor / Full Professor in Ruminant Nutrition
For further information please contact:
Anders Ringgaard Kristensen (Professor, Head of Section)
University of Copenhagen
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Section for Production, Nutrition and Health
Telephone +45 35 33 30 91
Email [email protected]
The Position
The project investigates the climate footprint of different grazing systems under Nordic conditions. This research will contribute to the development of climate friendly production systems.
The candidate will, in collaboration with the other members of the international team, carry out measurements of greenhouse gas emissions from individual sheep and dairy cattle in experiments with grazing systems, meta-analysis of greenhouse emissions from ruminants on pasture, and model simulations of greenhouse gas emissions from different grazing systems and production scenarios.
The research findings should be published in scientific journals and in a PhD thesis. Popular science dissemination is included. The candidate should expect some travelling to fulfil the duties.
The contract is for 4 years, of which 75% of the time will be devoted to the PhD project including the education at SLU, and 25% to other obligations at the department of Grassland and Livestock.
You can read more about this role and the application process here.
Applications close 1 October 2019
The Role
The position is for a Senior Livestock Policy Officer (Natural Resources and Climate) in the Animal Production and Health Division.
The Animal Production and Health Division assists FAO members in the development of sustainable livestock systems. It hosts intergovernmental bodies, multi-stakeholder initiatives and knowledge networks, provides information and technical and policy support to development efforts, including emergency preparedness and response. The Division has expertise in animal health (One Health), animal production and genetics, and livestock sector analysis and policy.
The role is for two years in Rome, Italy.
You can read more about this role and the application process here.
Applications close 9 October 2019
The CIRCASA project is glad to invite you to the Webinar Meeting “Monitoring reporting verification methods for soil carbon”. Presented by the French Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA)
Date: September 20, 2019, at 2:00 P.M (Paris UTC+2).
What is this webinar about?
During this Webinar, we will talk about the different existing methods to monitor soil carbon sequestration in France and at international level. You will learn about the carbon budget, remote sensing methodologies, limitations, and benefits of each methodology.
Please register here
Jean-François Soussana – CIRCASA project Coordinator, INRA
Gecica Yogo – Soil Carbon engineer, INRA
Eric Ceschia – Senior scientist, CESBIO, INRA
Antonio Bispo – US InfoSol Director in link with GISSOL, INRA
More information about the Webinar can be found here
Twitter: @CIRCASAproject
Facebook: CIRCASAproject
The Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) is pleased to announce Turkey as our newest member country. Turkey has become the 58th member of the GRA.
The GRA is looking forward to working with Turkey to improve sustainable farming practices and to produce more food while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The 58 member countries now participating in the activities of the Global Research Alliance are: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, eSwatini, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malawi, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vietnam, Zimbabwe
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity and experience not to be missed to undertake your postdoctoral studies with New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC).
In this role you will be supporting an international team of lead authors writing Chapter 7 (Agriculture) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report.
Based at the stunning Palmerston North Grasslands campus, this is a 2-year fixed term placement reporting directly to a New Zealand lead author, Dr Harry Clark. A specific purpose of the position is to increase knowledge and capability of an early career scientist in the IPCC process.
Read the full position description here
How to apply
If this sounds like you, apply here
Please include your CV and a covering letter detailing why you feel you would be suitable for this position.
Applications close: 23 August 2019
We are pleased to announce that the third round of the CLIFF-GRADS programme is now open!
The Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) and the CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) are pleased to announce that the third round of the CLIFF-GRADS programme is now open!
Thirty-four exciting research opportunities in livestock, soil, rice and agroforestry are available this round.
Students from developing countries currently enrolled in PhD programmes are invited to apply for short-term scientific training and research stays on topics related to the measurement and management of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage in agricultural systems.
Selected students will be sponsored from 10,000-12,000 USD for the short-term (4-6 months) research stays advertised in this call. The grants will be used to support living and research costs at the host institution. Grants may not be used for tuition or unrelated personal expenses.
Read More and Apply:
Click here to view the list of available research opportunities and to read more about the application process.
Interested applicants should note the following information:
Eligibility:
1. Applicants must be currently enrolled PhD students in a field related to quantification of greenhouse gas emissions or carbon sequestration in agricultural systems.
2. Applicants must be students from a developing country.
3. Previous CLIFF-GRADS are not eligible to apply.
Submission and process for selection:
1. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2019.
2. Applicants must complete the online CLIFF-GRADS Round 3 Survey, which can be found here.
3. Applicants must email a single PDF document containing their curriculum vitae (CV), motivation letter, and a letter of support from their current supervisor to [email protected]
Selection Criteria:
Applicants will be selected based on the following criteria:
1. Overall research qualifications
2. Relevance of thesis topic or other research experience to the research opportunity to which you are applying
3. Clear description of how the CLIFF-GRADS experience will improve your scientific capacity.
Background:
CLIFF-GRADS is a joint initiative of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) Low Emissions Development Flagship and the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA). CLIFF-GRADS aims to build the capability of early career agricultural students in developing countries to conduct applied research on climate change mitigation in agriculture. Research projects are hosted by CCAFS and GRA members and partners. Funding for CLIFF-GRADS is provided by the Government of New Zealand, USAID and by the CGIAR Trust Fund and bilateral agreements in support of CCAFS.
For any questions regarding the CLIFF-GRADS scholarship programme, please email: [email protected]
Read more about CCAFS
Please note that this call for applications is now closed. Keep an eye on the website for future calls if you missed the deadline for this round of the CLIFF-GRADS scholarship programme.
The Integrative Research Group (IRG) of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) is hosting its Webinar Meeting “Australian Soil Carbon Offset Methods: the science, the policy and the practice”. Presented by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, the Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy, and the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator.
When: June 26, 2019, at 9:00 P.M (Canberra UTC+10).
What is this webinar about?
The Australian Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) is a voluntary scheme that supports Australian businesses, farmers and land managers to take actions to reduce emissions and improve the environment. By running projects to reduce emissions and store carbon, businesses, land managers and others can earn Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs). These units can be sold to the Australian Government through a carbon abatement contract, or to other businesses seeking to offset their emissions. Over 770 projects have been registered under many eligible activities, including energy efficiency, waste management, revegetation, livestock management, savanna fire management and soil carbon sequestration.
Eligible emissions reduction activities are included in ‘methodology determinations’, or ‘methods’ for short. Methods are developed by the government in consultation with industry and technical experts. They set out the rules for estimating carbon abatement from different activities, including in the land sector. These methods ensure that carbon abatement is measurable, verifiable and additional to business as usual operations.
What will you learn?
Join Beverly Henry, Vyt Vilkaitis and Konrad Muller to hear about the soil carbon methods under Australia’s ERF – the development of the underpinning science, the policy framework and the practicalities of the methods.
Beverley, Vyt and Konrad will discuss all this, in the context of the two legislated methods currently approved for soil carbon offsets:
- Estimating sequestration of carbon in soil using default values method (model-based soil carbon)
- Measurement of soil carbon sequestration in agricultural systems method
Speakers:
Beverley Henry – GRA, IRG co-chair, member of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the 4p1000 Initiative.
Through academic and consulting positions, she participates in several Australian and international climate change committees and panels.
Vyt Vilkaitis – Australian Department of the Environment and Energy working on the ERF.
He has worked in government policy for over 10 years focusing on natural resource management.
Konrad Muller – Member of the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator, ERF Policy Team
He advises on the design, implementation and strategic issues of the ERF. Konrad was formerly in the Australian Government Department of Agriculture with an academic background in agricultural science.
Please register here.