Post Doctoral Research Associate in Soil Organic Geochemistry

Department of Life Sciences

Climate change and a growing human population represent substantial challenges for humanity and the sustainable production of food and management of ecosystems. Soils lie at the heart of this challenge for a sustainable future because soils provide several critical ecosystem services. The relationship between biological, physical and chemical soil properties is the key mechanism to managing these services and predicting consequences for climate change. Scientific understanding of carbon storage processes is developing rapidly with theories such as the Soil Continuum Model revolutionising centuries old concepts. These developments provide opportunities to systematically link soil carbon storage to biological turnover – particularly linking to the soil microbiome – and in doing so create novel scientific land management solutions.

The aim of this research is use cutting edge scientific concepts to quantify the effect of land-use change (e.g. increased urbanisation or rewilding from agriculture) on integrated soil functions in terms of SOC, biodiversity and wider soil health. Such knowledge will provide the start of an evidence base upon which government, local authority, conservation and agricultural policies may be based. Since there is currently very little understanding of the effect of land-use change in these areas, the project will explore multiple soil functions among a range of land-uses.

Specifically, this project will target the effect of the following on soils:

1) sustainable methods of the conservation of natural capital stocks such as nature recovery;

2) sustainable and climate change considerate methods of agricultural production to feed a growing population; and

3) develop an understanding of the links between soil carbon storage to microbiological processes at the molecular scale;

4) sustainable methods of urban development that minimise C loss, retain the provision of natural and biodiversity services and minimise flood risk.

We seek an enthusiastic, motivated and independent PDRA to drive the soil organic geochemistry part of this project and work. The post holder will work with the rest of the science team to holistically evaluate soil biogeochemistry. In particularly this PDRA will work in a collaboration with an existing PDRA who will focus on soil biology creating an interdisciplinary soil science project.

Along-side the main research aspects of this post, if the individual chooses, we will provide opportunities for career development in the areas of student supervision, teaching and University service to prepare the PDRA for future applications for permanent departmental academic positions.