Research Fellow in Biogeochemistry

The University of Birmingham's College of Life and Environmental Sciences is recruiting a Biogeochemistry Research Fellow to work on the Tree Immunisation Platform for Urgent Landscape-Scale Adaptation (IMPULSA) project, funded by ARIA. The project tests whether early-life immune engineering can accelerate the adaptive capacity of long-lived trees, developing an immunisation strategy for forest regeneration by configuring seedling immunity to boost survival under stress.

The Research Fellow will assess how nutrient variation and drought influence immunised and non-immunised oak seedlings grown in the Advanced Wolfson Glasshouses at the University of Birmingham under three treatments: nutrient regimes, soil water stress and elevated CO2. Across the growing season, nutrient cycling, enzyme activity and macro/micronutrient availability will be monitored using ion exchange resins, enzyme assays and bulk soil analyses. Plant tissue C:N:P ratios will indicate whether enhanced immunity is maintained without compromising growth under ambient and elevated CO₂. Drought will be imposed through controlled water limitation, with seedling responses measured via stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, water status, biomass and survival, including recovery after rewatering. The research will reveal how nutrient and drought stresses shape the growth and survival of immunised trees under current and future CO₂ conditions.

Role Summary:
- Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
- Operate within area of specialism
- Analyse and interpret research findings and results
- Contribute to generating funding
- Plan and undertake research on the role of nutrients and drought stresses in supporting the resilience of immunized tree seedlings
- Plan own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed programme and co-ordinate work with others in the group
- Maintain the experiment and analyse and interpret research findings and results
- Communicate research findings at meetings and conferences
- Engage in continuous professional development
- Write key manuscript(s) on the findings for publication

Main Duties:
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
- Understand state-of-the-art theoretical and practical aspects of nutrient and drought stress implications for young tree growth and how future climates will affect the performance of immunized trees
- Plan and undertake research on growing trees in the glasshouse under environmental stress and elevated CO2, and how soil drought, nutrients, enzymes and chemistry support survival of immunized trees
- Organize, analyse, interpret and curate the experimental data generated
- Interpret data and write up project reports, contextualise findings with project teams and themes, and write manuscript(s) for publication
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Supervise students on research-related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
- Undertake management/administration arising from research
- Contribute to departmental/school research-related activities and research-related administration
- Provide guidance to support staff and any students assisting with the research
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Foster a fair and equitable workplace for all staff
- Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures

Person Specification:
- PhD in Environmental Science, Soil Science, Plant Sciences, Biogeochemistry, Biology or related disciplines
- Available to start full time from January 2027
- High level analytical capability
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
- Ability to contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
- Ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010, including fostering good relations and advancing the university's Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)

UK and international travel may be required for this role.

Informal enquiries to Lesley Boyle, email: [email protected]