PhD Studentship

Warwick HRI - Wellesbourne

PhD Studentship available with Dr R Collier and Mr G Hanks from October 2005

Project Title: Epidemiology of the bulb-scale mite (Steneotarsonemus laticeps) in Narcissus Ref: HRI08-055

Thebulb-scale mite (Steneotarsonemus laticeps) is one of three successfulpests of narcissus. Bulb-scale mite causes little obvious direct damagein field crops, but in glasshouse narcissus it can result in damagedand distorted leaves and flower stems, often severe enough to causerejection of the crop of flowers. Discussions with UK bulb growers oversome 20 years have indicated a periodic concern about the damage causedby bulb-scale mite, but in the last 5 years these concerns have becomemore consistent and widespread. Few chemical controls are available forbulb-scale mite, and major bulb growers are pressing for alternativeresearch that would lead to the effective control of the pest. Nonon-chemical means of control is available, other than hot-watertreatment, but the bulb-scale mite problem continues to increasedespite rigorous use of this treatment. Hot-water treatment cannot beused for bulbs intended for sale or forcing.

The aim of theproposed PhD project is to gain an understanding of the life-cycle,behaviour and ecology of bulb-scale mite that will underpin thedevelopment of an effective integrated control strategy for this pest.The specific objectives are to:

i) Understand the basic biology of bulb-scale mite and establish a culture that will provide mites for experiments
ii) Discover when, where and how bulb-scale mite originates and spreads in field crops and in bulb storage
iii) Investigate novel management strategies for bulb-scale mite.

Youwill be based at Warwick HRI, Wellesbourne. Most of the experimentalwork will be done at Wellesbourne and at the Kirton Research Centre inLincolnshire, using controlled environment facilities, greenhouses orfield plots.

The studentship is for 3 years with a start date of October 2005 and will be registered at the University of Warwick.

For further information about the project please e-mail: rosemary.collier@warwick.ac.uk

There is an annual stipend of £12,000 per annum.

You must have or expect to receive a first or upper second class honours degree in Biological Sciences.

ThePhD Studentship is available to overseas candidates. It is arequirement of the studentship that candidates will pay the overseasstudent fees (Non EU candidates) and will need to pass an IELTS orTOEFL English Language proficiency test.
Minimum grades for the above are:
IELTS 7.0
TOEFL (Paper based) 620+
TOEFL (Computer based) 260

Ifyou are interested in applying you can apply online at:https://secure.admin.warwick.ac.uk/cgi-bin-pgapplications/form becauseit is the quickest and most efficient method for applying for admissionto postgraduate courses

Click here for further details of the post.

To receive a hard copy application pack,please contact the Human Resources Group on 02476 575231 (24 houranswerphone) or by email to julie.carder@warwick.ac.uk.An application form MUST be completed if you wish to be considered forthis post. Please note the hard copy and on-line application pack arethe same.

Please quote reference HRI08-055.

Closing date for applications is 31 July 2005.

For further details on how to apply for a post at Warwick, the benefits we offer, information on Warwick People, what it is like working here and more, please see our job introduction page.

Source: PhD Studentship at Warwick in Basic Biology of Bulb-scale Mite