Postdoctoral researcher – Soil Ecology

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Deadline: 10th February 2016.

The James Hutton Institute is Scotland’s largest environmental research centre, our work tackles a range of global issues and we engage with organizations from both the public and private sector. Our funding comes from a number of sources including Scottish Government, the European Union, Research Councils and through commercial work.

This post-doctoral position, available for three years in the first instance, is part of a Sino/Anglo consortium (NERC/RESAS Newton funded) to assess the effects of changing fertilization management on soil health and nutrient dynamics using a Chinese long term critical zone observatory.  The post will also have the opportunity to be involved in other soil ecological projects within the SPS theme.  The consortium is made up of three other UK and four Chinese academic partners with a wide range of expertise.  The project aims to understand the benefits and consequences of changing land management in the key peri-urban agricultural land use system.

The postholder will manage delivery of the Institute’s contribution to the overall project interacting closely with all consortium partners. The key component is to generate understanding of the effects of management on Nitrogen cycling communities and soil health using nematodes as an indicator.  These techniques are established within the group but will require further development for deployment in Chinese systems.  The post will be both laboratory and field based and may require extended periods of working in China.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The post-holder requires a demonstrable track record in a range of skills including day to day management of collaborative research projects, designing and managing experiments, molecular biology especially if applied to environmental samples, statistical analysis, effective communication including report writing and oral presentations and the ability to collaborate with Institute staff and consortium partners. This post will be based in Dundee.

Further information is available from www.hutton.ac.uk/careers. Additional information regarding the vacancy can be obtained directly from Prof. Tim Daniell or Dr. Roy Neilson. To apply please submit a covering letter and CV (including the names and addresses of three referees, one of which must be your current or most recent employer) by e-mail by clicking on the ”Apply” button, or by post to HR Office Dundee, James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA by 10th February 2016.