Postdoc in microbial ecology of anaerobic nitrogen cycling in soil

Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology
The Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology offers a stimulating and international research environment. Research at the department include interactions between microorganisms and plants as well as mycology, microbial ecology and evolution. Central themes are plant pathology, biodiversity and microbiology of biogeochemical cycles in agricultural and forest ecosystems. The position is placed in the Soil Microbiology group, which performs fundamental and applied research in functional microbial ecology, especially within carbon and nitrogen cycling.

Duties:
The postdoc will do research on the ecology of microorganisms involved in denitrification and Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium (DNRA) in agricultural soils. Whereas DNRA leads to the retention of N in the form of ammonium, denitrification results in N loss through the production of gaseous N-compounds, including the ozone-depleting and potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. The aim of the project is to decipher the factors controlling the two groups of nitrate-respiring bacteria that govern the fate of nitrate in soil and in the rhizosphere. This is essential for development of strategies for increased nitrogen use efficiency in cropping systems and decreased nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions.

The project includes the design and implementation of microcosm and greenhouse experiments as well as molecularwork, analyses of plant traits, soil chemical analysis, data analysis and writing of scientific articles. The molecular work includes analyses of community composition and abundance of denitrifiers and DNRA bacteria based on sequencing and qPCR, combined with bioinformatics and biostatistics. The work will be done with researchers within and outside the department.

Qualifications:
The required qualification for this position is a PhD in biology focused on microbial ecology, plant-microbe interactions,or another relevant subject.

The candidate should have documented experience of experimental work, preferably with soil and/or plant experiments, as well as molecular methods, microbial community analysis and multivariate statistics. Knowledge and previous experience of work with phylogenetic approaches and N-cycling microorganisms are strong merits.

The applicant should have documented capabilities of autonomous scientific research work and skills in writing scientific publications.

We are looking for a highly motivated, open-minded and team-oriented candidate who will contribute positively to the development of the research environment. The working language is English and good skills in English (both written and oral) are required.

As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates who have obtained their doctorate degree within the past three years.

Place of work:
Uppsala, Ultuna

Form of employment:
Fixed term employment for 2 years.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
By agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than March 29th, 2022, use the “Apply” button below.

Interested applicants should submit the following: (1) CV including a list of publications and skills; (2) PhD degree certificate and link to/copy of doctoral thesis; (3) a cover letter including a description of past research and current research interests (max 2 pages); (4) contact details (name, relation to candidate, e-mail address and telephone number) of two reference persons familiar with the applicant’s earlier scientific work.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

www.slu.se