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A three-year project “Evaluation of biogas production and GHG mitigation from AD of pig manure with co-digestion of crops and crop by-products” has recently been funded by Irish Department of Agriculture and Food under the Research Stimulus Fund. The total funding of the project is €940,000.  Three partner organizations will participate in this project: Environmental Engineering Group, Department of Civil Engineering/Environmental Change Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway); Moorepark Research Centre, Teagasc (the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority); and Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute (AFBI), Hillsborough, Northern Ireland.

The successful applicant will conduct laboratory and meso-scale experiments in NUI Galway and at Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy Co. Cork.. The components of the research project will include: (1)   literature review of AD of pig manure, including biogas production, impact on GHG emissions, utilization of crops and crop by-products as substrates for co-digestion; (2) investigation of biogas production and optimum operational conditions at laboratory- and meso-scale levels; (3) determination of mass balance for major plant nutrients; (4) determination of GHG emissions from digestate at laboratory-, meso- and field-scale levels; and (5) life cycle assessment of AD of pig manure co-digested with crops/crop by-products.

The PhD student will receive a high level of support from the three partner institutions. The Environmental Research Group at NUI, Galway has established an environmental analysis lab, a biosensor lab and a molecular analysis lab. Currently, there are five postdoctoral researchers researching biofuel production, genetic analysis, biosensors and mathematical modeling in this group. The successful PhD student will learn advanced techniques and acquire knowledge in molecular analysis, mathematic modeling and AD from these experienced researchers.

The stipend paid to the successful candidate will be €21,000, €23,000 and €25,000 per annum in year 1, 2 and 3 of the project, respectively.  Registration fees must be paid by the student out of this stipend.

Applicants must have a degree in environmental engineering, science or related discipline. Although not essential it would be preferable if candidates had previously obtained a masters degree.

Please send your CV and a cover letter with names and contact details of three referees to Dr. Xinmin Zhan (Xinmin.zhan@nuigalway.ie).

For additional information please contact Dr. Xinmin Zhan without hesitation.

Dr. Xinmin Zhan

Department of Civil Engineering

National University of Ireland, Galway

Tel: +353-91-495239

Fax: +353-91-494507

E-mail: xinmin.zhan@nuigalway.ie

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