Post-doctoral fellow in Soil Microbial AgroEcology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

Imbalanced weather regimes endanger important soil ecosystem functions, and strategies for climate adaptation and resilience to extreme event are crucial to secure food production and maintain the natural food webs in soils. Because of climate change, Sweden is increasingly likely to experience weather extremes such as summer droughts or heavy rain events.

Farm management can enhance or decrease resilience to extreme weather events. Organic farms have been shown to be more resilient against environmental stresses compared to conventionally managed farms, and can, under some conditions, outperform conventional farms under periods of extreme weather, especially under drought. Microorganisms themselves are affected by soil management practices, and microbial functions can be impaired by both agricultural management practice and climate stress.

The aim of this BECC (see film about BECC further down) research area funded project is to determine how different farm management types impact the microbial performance and the resilience of different soils to climatic disturbances, especially drought. An important part of drought resilience is mediated via the soil’s organic matter concentrations, and soil organic matter formation and stabilization is strongly controlled by the soil’s microbial community. This project will investigate the influence of farm management type via a set of 30 conventionally or organically managed farms in Scania, and determine soil processes as microbial growth, enzymatic activities, and the soils’ biodiversity and direct characterization of trophic interactions. Combined microscale measurements using microfluidic soil chips, optical microscopy observations and molecular characterization of the soil microbial communities will be used together with bulk analyses of the soils. The postdoc will further be stationed for approximately 3 months of their time at the University of Gothenburg.

Film about the strategic research area BECC.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research, consisting of field sampling on farms located in Scania, Sweden, sample analysis in both bulk and microscale laboratory experiments, related data analyses and scientific writing. Within the frame of their position the postdoc is expected to actively work with developing BECC as a research environment, e.g. by participating at its annual meetings and other BECC-events, and by contributing to activities and initiatives such as Action Groups and workshops. Teaching may also be included, if wished, to promote career development, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall also include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Detailed description of the work duties:

• Performing sampling campaigns in Scanian farm fields
• Communication with the farmers via a questionnaire
• Performing microscale experiments on the collected samples using microfluidic soil chips combined with optical microscopy
• Performing bulk and molecular characterization of the soils
• Data analyses, including image analyses and bioinformatics related to the community characterization
• Scientific writing

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. Special emphasis will be placed on scientific ability in the subject areas of soil ecology in agricultural ecosystems, microbial ecology, and microbiology, but other subject areas may also be considered if they are considered relevant to the project.

Additional requirements:

• Experience with molecular characterization of microbial communities
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work well with other members of the group and in the multidisciplinary environment

Merits:

• Experience with work on environmental or soil samples both in the field and laboratory experiments
• Experience of work in agricultural ecosystems
• Experience with sterile culturing
• Experience working with optical microscopy and related image analyses
• Knowledge of the Swedish language and a driver’s licence are merits, but can be compensated for via an assistant if needed.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years (with possibility of extension). The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• cover letter, including a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than two pages)
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.