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-----Original Message----- From: Kenter, Jasper Onno [mailto:[log in to unmask]] A fully-funded NERC-BESS studentship is available for Home / EU students within the Environment Department, University of York to commence doctoral study in 2012 / 2013. The effects of storminess on coastal ecosystem services and wellbeing Supervisors: Dr Katherine Selby (University of York), Dr Lorraine Whitmarsh (Cardiff University) and Professor Colin Brown (University of York). CASE Partner, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Coastal ecosystems are some of the most heavily used and threatened natural systems. Human populations are concentrated along the coast; consequently, coastal ecosystems are some of the most threatened on the planet. Saltmarshes and sand dunes are two such coastal ecosystems that provide a range of services including coastal protection, erosion control, food, water purification, carbon sequestration, tourism, and recreation. In addition, there are likely to be important psychological services provided by coastal environments, although these have been given far less attention. Critically, these ecosystems are threatened by climate change impacts, notably increased storminess (IPCC, 2007). Social research on ecosystem services has tended to be dominated by economic approaches (e.g., Bateman et al., 2011). There has been little attempt to integrate psychological perspectives into ecosystem services research despite considerable evidence of the cognitive, emotional and broader health benefits of spending time in, or even simply viewing, natural environments (e.g., Hartig et al., 1991). Coastal dune and saltmarsh environments reflect key characteristics (e.g., natural, complex, presence of water) known to be aesthetically appealing and restorative (e.g., Kaplan, 1995).. Climate-related risk, such as increased storminess, to these environments and to the psychological and other benefits they afford must therefore be assessed and managed. The overall aim of this research is to examine the effects that storms presently have on sand dunes and saltmarshes and their associated biodiversity and innovatively assess the impacts of increased storminess on the psychological aspects of ecosystem services that these coastal environments provide. In-house training will be given in field methods, laboratory and psychological analyses. The student will join a vibrant community within the Environment Department, University of York and postgraduate training courses will be available from the University’s Graduate School. The student will also spend some time at Cardiff University and with the CASE partner. The Studentship will be tenable for three and a half (3.5) years and provide a maintenance grant set at the UK Research Council's national rate (which in 2011/12 is £13,590), full payment of their tuition fees, and a research training support grant to support fieldwork and attendance at conferences. We are seeking candidates who possess a first or 2:1 undergraduate degree, or with relevant comparable experience and who will usually hold or be completing a Masters degree in a relevant area. You will need to apply directly to the supervisor (not through OPAS) by July 29 2012 enclosing a 2 page covering letter detailing why you wish to apply for the studentship and your relevant experience, and a Curriculum Vitae including two referees. Interviews for the position will be held on August 13 2012 at the University of York. Candidates must be an UK/EU resident to hold an NERC studentship, and EU students who have not been resident in the UK for the last three years before the start of their studentship are only eligible for a fees-only award. For further information contact Dr Katherine Selby, [log in to unmask] For more details on the NERC-BESS programme please see http://www.nerc-bess.net/ The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.