The University of Manchester
Research Associate in Plant-Mycorrhizal Interactions
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Title
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.
About the Role
The project will address the following questions:
- Do mycorrhizal traits match plant traits along the fast–slow life-history continuum?
- 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.
Responsibilities
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
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.
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
Benefits
Our benefits include:
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
- 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.
About Us
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
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills