Back to search results

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow In Terrestrial Ecosystem Science (Specifically, Plant-Soil Interactions)

University of Stirling - Faculty of Natural Sciences

Location: Stirling
Salary: £36,333 to £43,155 per annum (Grade 7)
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On: 28th March 2023
Closes: 17th April 2023
Job Ref: FAC01720

The Post

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDRF) to work with Professor Philip Wookey for a period of up to 42 months on the ‘MYCONET’ project. This NERC funded project aims to understand how the highly organic soils of northern latitudes respond to increased abundance of trees and woody shrubs. MYCONET will focus on the role of the 'mycorrhizosphere' in determining the carbon balance of these important soil carbon stores.  The overarching hypothesis of MYCONET is that associated changes in the mycorrhizosphere with tree and shrub establishment could, paradoxically, result in net losses, rather than gains, of soil carbon (C) over timescales of relevance to the Climate Emergency.

In the project, the PDRF will apply ground-breaking techniques in the use - and innovative experimental deployment – of natural abundance (and depleted) radiocarbon (14C), together with metagenomics, soil and root-tip enzyme assays and soil organic matter (SOM) analyses, to quantify and understand the processes and dynamics of the mycorrhizosphere and how these affect soil organic C stocks. The research will focus on the process of 'priming', and the specific role of mycorrhizal fungi in this, and related, processes. The MYCONET team will measure these processes both in situ (in the Arctic and the UK uplands) and in controlled experiments, as part of an integrated package of mechanistic studies, soil profile analysis and dynamic SOM modelling, to quantify and understand how priming works, and the implications for SOM dynamics, ecosystem C fluxes, and nutrient cycling.

By applying ground-breaking techniques MYCONET has potential to transform our understanding of plant-soil interactions and the role of mycorrhizal fungi in SOM dynamics. The knowledge gained could significantly improve regional and global modelling of climate-biogeochemical interactions, with a focus on the indirect effects of shifting plant communities. The project has relevance for the pan-Arctic 'shrubification', as well as for ecosystems being managed for C-sequestration in the Scottish Uplands.

Tackling the project’s aims will be through close collaboration with the broader UK and international MYCONET team. The PDRF will be central to the project team and will work with the Principal and Co-Investigators, and Project Partners, to produce the scientific and the societal impact deliverables.

Description of duties

  • Plan and carry out fieldwork in Swedish Lapland and the Scottish Highlands, with involvement and guidance from mentors
  • Plan and carry out controlled experiments and dynamic SOM modelling, with involvement and guidance from mentors
  • Carry out SOM analyses, soil and root-tip enzyme assays and metagenomics of soil fungal communities

Essential criteria

  • A PhD in ecology, biogeochemistry or other relevant environmental/ecological science
  • A background in soil and/or vegetation analysis, ecophysiology or ecosystem carbon dynamics
  • A willingness to conduct fieldwork in remote and potentially challenging locations

For further information, including a full description of duties, essential criteria and details on how to apply, please see Vacancy details | University of Stirling

We value your feedback on the quality of our adverts. If you have a comment to make about the overall quality of this advert, or its categorisation then please send us your feedback
Advert information

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):

Job tools
 

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Ok Ok

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Account Verification Missing

In order to create multiple job alerts, you must first verify your email address to complete your account creation

Request verification email Request verification email

jobs.ac.uk Account Required

In order to create multiple alerts, you must create a jobs.ac.uk jobseeker account

Create Account Create Account

Alert Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your account is currently blocked. Please login to unblock your account.

Email Address Blocked

We received a delivery failure message when attempting to send you an email and therefore your email address has been blocked. You will not receive job alerts until your email address is unblocked. To do so, please choose from one of the two options below.

Max Alerts Reached

A maximum of 5 Job Alerts can be created against your account. Please remove an existing alert in order to create this new Job Alert

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your alert was not created at this time. Please try again.

Ok Ok

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

 
 
More jobs from University of Stirling

Show all jobs for this employer …

More jobs like this
Join in and follow us

Browser Upgrade Recommended

jobs.ac.uk has been optimised for the latest browsers.

For the best user experience, we recommend viewing jobs.ac.uk on one of the following:

Google Chrome Firefox Microsoft Edge