Research Associate in Plant-Mycorrhizal Interactions

We are seeking an enthusiastic and talented Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to join the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Manchester and work with Filipa Cox and Joshua Lynn to explore plant-mycorrhizal fungal life-history strategies in relation to plant life-history. The project will address the following questions:

1) Do mycorrhizal traits match plant traits along the fast–slow life-history continuum?

2) Do plants and mycorrhizal fungi in symbiosis have complementary traits and, if so, is this driven by shared environmental conditions or by plant and/or fungal partner preferences?

You will use a combination of macroecological and experimental techniques, including plant and mycorrhizal functional trait characterisation, molecular characterisation of fungal communities, working with “big data”, and characterising soil physicochemical properties. You will join a diverse, active and collaborative research group in the Soil and Ecosystem Ecology Lab at Manchester.

You will be responsible for:

• Design and establish mesocosm experiments involving plants and mycorrhizal fungi
• Conduct and organise fieldwork to assess plant and fungal responses to environmental gradients
• Analyse and interpret resulting data and communicate results via presentations, and write papers for publication in leading journals
• Communicate research plans and findings with project collaborators and other staff working on the project
• Undertake knowledge exchange activities to generate wider impact of research

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• Have a relevant PhD (or equivalent) in fungal, soil or plant ecology, and experience of field- and/or laboratory-based research
• Specialist knowledge on plant:soil interactions and fungal ecology
• Ability to travel to fieldsites in UK and Europe
• Experience in some/all research methodologies relevant to the post such as analysis of soil organic compounds, microbial community analyses, techniques to manipulate mycorrhizal fungal interactions and functioning, use of stable isotopes and enzyme assays
• Experience in analysis and interpretation of experimental data, including statistical analyses of large datasets, preferably from studies done at large spatial scales

Desirable Criteria:

• Specific research experience in mycorrhizal fungal ecology
• Experience in the synthesis of plant-mycorrhizal symbioses in the laboratory
• Experience with species distribution modelling
• UK Driving licence

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Filipa Cox and Joshua Lynn

Email Address: filipa.cox@manchester.ac.uk and joshua.lynn@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below