Post-doctoral fellow in soil geochemistry – Lund, Sweden

Subject description
Spectroscopic 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. A focus will be studies of surface reactions between iron oxide minerals and metabolites released by the fungus, as well as the consequences of these reactions for nutrient mobilization. You will use a combination of in-situ infrared (IR) spectroscopy and wet chemical methods. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with a postdoctoral fellow in soil microbiology.

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, completed 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 chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry or related disciplines.

Very good skills in English, both written and spoken, are requirement 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 assessments 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:

Spectroscopic analysis of mineral surfaces, in particular by means of vibration spectroscopy techniques
Research on microbe-mineral interactions

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:

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