Research Associate in Plant-Mycorrhizal Interactions

Apply for job Job reference: SAE-031817 Salary: £37,694 - £46,049 per annum depending on relevant experience Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering Location: Oxford Road Employment type: Fixed Term Division/Team: Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE) Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 28/09/2026 Contract Duration: 30 Months School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences Where to find us location_on Get directions Job Description 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. The project will address the following questions: 1) Do mycorrhizal traits match plant traits along the fast–slow life-history continuum? 2) 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. 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 We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work. About You We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate: 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 We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications. Our benefits include: 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 . 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 Take a look around the company https://www.manchester.ac.uk/ Apply for job favorite_border Save this job

• We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.
• We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:
• 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
• Specific research experience in mycorrhizal fungal ecology
• Experience in the synthesis of plant-mycorrhizal symbioses in the laboratory
• Experience with species distribution modelling

• For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits . You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here .
• 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 .
• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available