ECC launches new Masters course with Liverpool University
A unique opportunity has recently opened for a graduate student to gain expertise in the carbon sequestration of perennial Willow energy and Poplar energy wood crops.
Energy Crops Consultancy (ECC) has collaborated with the University of Liverpool (UoL) to establish a 12-month Masters by Research (MRes) programme that will enable a graduate student to work at the interface between science, commercial imperative, and government policy.
Together, they are seeking to appoint a suitably experienced and qualified individual who is inquisitive, proactive, and capable of working in a team.
Founder and director of ECC, Neil Watkins, says,
“We’re delighted to be able to offer students this exciting opportunity to work with us in furthering the proofs of just how essential perennial wood crops are in combating global climate change. Liverpool University Environmental Sciences Department are the perfect partner in this dynamic venture.”
What does the course entail?
The main objective of this 12-month scientific research programme will be to analyse existing carbon sequestration policies in the UK and identify just how much carbon short rotation coppice (SRC) willow and poplar wood crops sequester in its lifetime in order to determine suitable alternative carbon sequestration verification processes.
The successful candidate will also work with ECC consultants and their wide network of contacts in the industry, along with members of staff from Environmental Sciences to receive the necessary supervision, guidance and training in policy work to undertake the project.
Who is this course aimed for?
Candidates should have knowledge of carbon biogeochemical processes relating to soils, with a 2:1 Hons or Masters degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline. They will need to be proactive, committed, organised, and capable of working in a multidisciplinary team. Experience with measurement of soil carbon and application of soil carbon models is also advantageous.
Graduates wishing to further their Environmental Sciences education to Masters by Research (MRes) level should get in touch with ECC as early as possible.
How did this opportunity come about?
ECC has always been at the forefront of scientific research into Perennial wood Crops and understand that fast-growing wood crops such as SRC Willow and Poplar have long been promoted as champions when it comes to biodiversity and CO2 sequestration – but there is little hard data surrounding their real impact on carbon sequestration.
Neil Watkins of ECC searched for new revenue streams to grow the company and benefit ECC growers. He questioned whether carbon credits could be sold based on a price per hectare, per tonne on behalf of ECC perennial crop growers group. It seemed the simple answer was yes, but what would that price be? How much carbon was being stored by these long-term crop plantations?
ECC staff member Dan Thurgood, who lives in Liverpool, contacted the University of Liverpool to see if there was an opportunity for partnering with their Environmental Scientists to discover the real figures.
After successful conversations, ECC are delighted to announce the launch of this new Masters by Research programme which will enable us to quantify just how much carbon the perennial wood crops store over time.
ECC launches new Masters course with Liverpool University
A unique opportunity has recently opened for a graduate student to gain expertise in the carbon sequestration of perennial Willow energy and Poplar energy wood crops.
Energy Crops Consultancy (ECC) has collaborated with the University of Liverpool (UoL) to establish a 12-month Masters by Research (MRes) programme that will enable a graduate student to work at the interface between science, commercial imperative, and government policy.
Together, they are seeking to appoint a suitably experienced and qualified individual who is inquisitive, proactive, and capable of working in a team.
Founder and director of ECC, Neil Watkins, says,
“We’re delighted to be able to offer students this exciting opportunity to work with us in furthering the proofs of just how essential perennial wood crops are in combating global climate change. Liverpool University Environmental Sciences Department are the perfect partner in this dynamic venture.”
What does the course entail?
The main objective of this 12-month scientific research programme will be to analyse existing carbon sequestration policies in the UK and identify just how much carbon short rotation coppice (SRC) willow and poplar wood crops sequester in its lifetime in order to determine suitable alternative carbon sequestration verification processes.
The successful candidate will also work with ECC consultants and their wide network of contacts in the industry, along with members of staff from Environmental Sciences to receive the necessary supervision, guidance and training in policy work to undertake the project.
Who is this course aimed for?
Candidates should have knowledge of carbon biogeochemical processes relating to soils, with a 2:1 Hons or Masters degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline. They will need to be proactive, committed, organised, and capable of working in a multidisciplinary team. Experience with measurement of soil carbon and application of soil carbon models is also advantageous.
Graduates wishing to further their Environmental Sciences education to Masters by Research (MRes) level should get in touch with ECC as early as possible.
How did this opportunity come about?
ECC has always been at the forefront of scientific research into Perennial wood Crops and understand that fast-growing wood crops such as SRC Willow and Poplar have long been promoted as champions when it comes to biodiversity and CO2 sequestration – but there is little hard data surrounding their real impact on carbon sequestration.
Neil Watkins of ECC searched for new revenue streams to grow the company and benefit ECC growers. He questioned whether carbon credits could be sold based on a price per hectare, per tonne on behalf of ECC perennial crop growers group. It seemed the simple answer was yes, but what would that price be? How much carbon was being stored by these long-term crop plantations?
ECC staff member Dan Thurgood, who lives in Liverpool, contacted the University of Liverpool to see if there was an opportunity for partnering with their Environmental Scientists to discover the real figures.
After successful conversations, ECC are delighted to announce the launch of this new Masters by Research programme which will enable us to quantify just how much carbon the perennial wood crops store over time.