Post-doctoral fellow in soil microbiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
Molecular and physiologial studies of mechanisms used by ectomycorrhizal fungi to mobilize nutrients associated with iron oxide minerals.

Work duties
The aim of this project is to examine the mechanisms by which ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi mobilize and acquire nutrients associated with iron-oxide mineral particles. In boreal forest soils, a major fraction of plant growth-limiting nutrients including nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is associated with iron oxide minerals. To access such nutrients, trees are dependent on the activity of ECM fungal root symbionts. You will study the molecular mechanisms of nutrient acquisition at the fungus-iron oxide interface and how the reactions are regulated in heterogeneous redox environments. The experiments will be conducted in laboratory model systems. Of particular interest is the characterization of secreted iron(III)-reducing metabolites that cause reductive dissolution of iron oxides and how these metabolites affect the release of mineral-associated nutrients. The metabolites will be analyzed using chromatographic (HPLC) and spectroscopic (NMR, mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy) methods. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with a postdoctoral fellow in in soil geochemistry.

You will be a member of Professors Per Persson´s and Anders Tunlid´s group. We are an interdisciplinary research team of scientists from molecular geochemistry, microbial ecology and evolution, molecular biology, physical chemistry and computational biology. The environment will provide the candidate with ample possibilities to learn novel skills and methods. For further information, please visit our webpages at https://www.cec.lu.se/sv/per-persson and Anders Tunlid - Lund University

Eligibility
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. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their degree or have obtained corresponding expertise no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

For this position the qualified applicants must have a doctorate within the field of soil microbiology microbial ecology, geomicrobiology, fungal biology, or related disciplines.

Very good skills in English, both written and spoken, are requirments for this position.

Basis of assessment
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.

The criteria for assesments are:

• Ability to conduct research both independently and as a member of a team
• Strong drive towards research publications
• Excellent communication skills to allow for presentation to specialists as well as to scientists outside the area of research

Experience in one or more of the following areas are highly desirable:

• Research on microbe-mineral interactions
• Molecular research with fungi
• Chromatographic analyses of microbial metabolites

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. 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, OFR/S and SEKO, dated February 1, 2022.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a single PDF-file containing:

1. A CV, including date of public PhD thesis defense or equivalent, title of thesis, previous appointments, current position and academic distinctions (max. two pages)
2. A full publication list
3. A brief outline of current research (max. two pages)
4. Names and contact information of at least three professional references
5. Certified copies of relevant diplomas of exams