Overview

Context of Micro-Bio-Mechanical Modelling of root growth in soils at University of Dundee

The extent and the way roots grow in the ground is known to have a fundamental impact on the growth of crop plants as well as on the resistance to lodging induced by storms. Considering that in the UK approximately £60 million per year are lost because of lodging, a better understanding of how and to what depths roots grow into the ground is desirable.

Despite advances in laboratory techniques that have proven to be effective for the visualization of root architectures, reliable predictive models capable of quantifying the pull-out strength do not exist. As the pull out resistance strongly affects lodging vulnerability, reliable numerical models capable of quantifying the pull-out strength would improve existing breading techniques which are known to have a big impact on the agricultural sector by influencing root screening procedures.

Programme Structure

In this PhD research project, you will interact with a cross-disciplinary research team in order to develop a new numerical model capable of simultaneously:

modelling root growth

subsequently quantifying root pull-out strength

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months
Part-time
- 60 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-05-01 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.
Starting 2025-09-16 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.
Starting 2026-01-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-10-31 00:00:00

Language

English

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Soil Science Geology View 5 other PhDs in Soil Science in United Kingdom

Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Student insurance

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Other requirements

General requirements

You should have an honours degree at 2.1 or above, and/or a Masters degree in a relevant discipline.
IELTS 6.5

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

26570 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 26570 GBP per year during 36 months.
National

4786 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 4786 GBP per year during 36 months.

Living costs for Dundee

787 - 1494 GBP /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.