Postdoctoral Research Officer

Applications are invited for a fixed-term full-time post working in the School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University on the Development of Regenerative Tree Nursery Practice.

Duties will include conducting research as part of a dynamic team of scientist investigating the potential role of composted municipal green waste (MGW) as an alternative to peat-based compost for use in forestry and horticulture.

The post holder will investigate how the different MGW composting systems, affect the quality and consistency of compost as growing media for tree seed germination and seedling growth. Analyses of compost biogeochemical properties, microbial community structure and function, and plant physiology will be conducted in laboratories of the Environment Centre Wales, Bangor. Field trials will be established at Bangor University’s Henfaes Research Centre located near the village of Abergwyngregyn, 7 miles from Bangor. In addition to establishing trials and conducting laboratory analyses, the successful candidate will statistically analyse and interpret datasets, prepare reports and manuscripts from the results, and disseminate research finding both nationally and internationally. Our impact generating long-term aim is to enable municipal green waste to be repurposed as a regenerative and sustainable compost source throughout the UK.

This post is an ideal opportunity for an ambitious individual to demonstrate leadership in high-impact research. We seek a driven and talented researcher with a strong interest in multi-disciplinary approaches. Candidates should have a PhD (or be near completion) in the natural, biological, or environmental sciences, or a related subject. Candidates must have published or had accepted at least one paper in an ISI accredited peer-reviewed journal. Experience of molecular biology, forest/tree ecology, physiology, biogeochemical cycling and working in interdisciplinary teams is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence 1st September 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter. The post is funded until the 31st March 2025.

For informal questions relating to the post please contact Prof Andy Smith (a.r.smith@bangor.ac.uk) or Dr Tim Peters (tim.peters@bangor.ac.uk )

This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Closing dates for applications: 09 August 2023.

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

The School of Natural Sciences (SNS) is the part of the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Bangor University, which is one of the leading centres in the UK for teaching and research in an extensive range of science subjects. We aim to educate and train a new generation of scientists aware of societal and environmental needs in a world-class research-led environment. Core research interests of SNS include sustainable forestry and agriculture, molecular ecology and evolution, conservation science, environmental microbiology and biotechnology, plant and soil science. The school is also a leading international centre of research in forest science and has a strong reputation at the interface of forestry with biogeochemistry and soil science.

The Project

Peat-based compost is used in 35% of horticultural businesses despite peat extraction

degrading native wildlife habitats and the UK’s largest carbon store. To improve sustainability and achieve net zero, the UK Government is encouraging the transition to sustainable peat-free compost in the horticultural sector by 2024, with a planned total ban on peat-based compost media by 2030. This project, funded by the Forestry Commission’s Tree Production Innovation Fund, will study the processes and systems used in the production of municipal green waste (MGW) compost with the aim of improving the consistency and quality of composts available to the horticultural sector. In consultation with stakeholders, the post holder will assess the impact of MGW compost use on the germination and growth of a range of UK native trees and their seeds to improve the sustainable supply of trees to meet tree planting targets.

To facilitate a sector-wide transition from peat-based composts, we will examine local authority MGW composting systems and assess: (i) compost physiochemical properties; (ii) microbial abundance, diversity, and functionality; (iii) efficacy of MGW compost for germination and seedling establishment during a growing season; and (iv) the effect of the plant-soil-microbe interactions on tree seedling health and vigour over a growing season. Data generated will be analysed to assess which of the composting methodologies produces the most consistent high-quality media for tree production. A series of guidance notes, or recommendations, will be produced and disseminated to stakeholders to encourage a reduction in the reliance on peat-based growing media. We expect that the results of the project will lead to a sustained reduction in use of peat-based growing media in tree nurseries and the horticultural sector, thereby reducing carbon and biodiversity losses associated with peat extraction.

Purpose of the Job

The post holder will join a dynamic and established team of researchers and technicians to generate high-impact research on improving the sustainability of tree production methods through the implementation of regenerative tree nursery practices to enable the production of tree planting stocks to help the UK economy meet its net zero target by 2050. The focus of the appointed candidate will be on studying MGW compost production processes and analysing physiochemical and biogeochemical properties of MGW compost and investigating the plant-soil-microbe interactions that affect plant physiology, health and productivity. The post holder will generate a diverse dataset that links compost properties to ecological function and the productivity of tree seedlings over an entire growing season and be responsible for analysing and publishing results generated from the analyses that will hopefully result in a change in behaviour across the horticultural and tree nursery sectors.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct glasshouse and field trials using a range of MGW composts to assess the physiochemical, biogeochemical and microbial properties of composts and their impact on seedling germination and plant productivity, health and vigour.
• Lead and contribute to the dissemination of research outputs through the preparation of high-quality peer reviewed publications. Attend and present at relevant scientific workshops and conferences. Engage with the press office and media relations team to publicise findings. Prepare regular updates on progress to the project management group and collaborate with co-researchers to prepare final reports.
• Acquire and maintain a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of the scientific literature related to the research aims of the project, and actively support the principal investigator in collecting and analysing data.
• Participate in project meetings, assist in project coordination to meet aims and objectives, and liaise with stakeholders (external and internal).
• Monitoring of financial controls associated with the research project. Monitor and review costing to ensure research project is with budget / research equipment costings.
• Other duties and responsibilities specific to the role include advising and collaborating with internship, placement, Masters and PhD students within the research group.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/herself and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Person Specification

This post is an ideal opportunity for an ambitious individual to demonstrate potential for leadership in high-impact research. We seek a dynamic, driven and talented individual with a strong interest in inter-disciplinary research. You should have a background in a relevant discipline (e.g. forest ecology, biological or environmental sciences, or a related subject.). You must have experience with establishing field and glasshouse trials, laboratory methods for the investigation of soil properties and microbial community structure, and advanced data analysis techniques. Evidence of experience with research student supervision is desirable, but not essential.

It is important to us that you are a keen team worker and that you enjoy interacting with project researchers and technical staff. It is equally important that you have a capacity for independent innovation and that you are comfortable with making independent decisions when the situation requires it.

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• PhD (Environmental Science, Forest Sciences, Ecology, Biogeochemistry), or be close to the completion of, or possess equivalent experience relevant to the role.

Desirable

• Professional accreditation

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

• Track record of designing, organising, and undertaking field-based research.
• Experience of laboratory biogeochemical analysis of plants and soils.
• Proven track record of publications in quality journals.
• Proven track record of conference presentations.

Desirable

• Track record of collaborative/team research.
• Experience of research student supervision.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, including publishing in quality peer review journals and conference presentations.
• Organisational skills: research co-ordination, data collection and filing.
• Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.

Desirable

• Demonstrate proven project management skills
• Demonstrate good computer skills, including the use of statistical analysis software, and the MS Office suite of application (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel. Word)
• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team
• Any other skills / abilities relevant to the duties and responsibilities
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills

Other

Essential

• Driving license. or ability to fulfill travel requirement of role through reasonable alternative means.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the bilingual nature of the institution and area, and the ensuing responsibilities.

Desirable

• Willingness to co-supervise affiliated research students.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.

Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.