Postdoc position in soil chemical imaging/sensing
Research Fellow in Chemical Characterisation and Geochemistry of Plant-Soil Interaction
Bioengineering Research Group
Location: Highfield Campus
Salary: £28,695 to £35,256 per annum rising in annual increments
Full Time - Fixed Term Until 31/08/2018 due to funding restrictions
Closing Date: Tuesday 30 June 2015
Interview Date: Thursday 09 July 2015
Reference: 574715BX
Faculty of Engineering and the Environment
You will develop and contribute to understanding the interaction between plant roots and soil using the combination of XRF, SEM-EDX and soil solution analysis for spatially resolved mapping of soil chemistry. As the project develops, it is envisaged that synchrotron-based methods will be assessed to complement/enhance laboratory capabilities. You will be part of a large interdisciplinary team funded by the European Research Council (ERC), which consists of engineers, mathematicians and plant/soil scientists all working together to understand the fundamentals of plant-soil interaction.
Joining the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment together with the National Oceanography Centre at Southampton one of the UK’s most dynamic centres for engineering and environmental research and education, you will be part of a large interdisciplinary team studying plant-soil interaction. All human food comes directly or indirectly from plants. In order for plants to grow they need nutrients and water from the soil.
To be successful you will need a track record in soil and/or environmental chemistry using XRF or SEM-EDX or soil solution analysis, track record of producing peer reviewed publications and an ability to co-supervise PhD research. You will hold a PhD or equivalent in soil science, geochemistry, advanced material science or a related discipline. The successful application of contemporary engineering methodologies and skills (advanced imaging, high performance computing, numerical simulation etc.) to the understanding of fundamental interactions between plants and soils will play a crucial role in global food security in the 21st century.
Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.
Post Start date: 1 September 2015
Informal enquiries are welcolmed and should be directed to Tiina Roose (t.roose@soton.ac.uk<mailto:t.roose@soton.ac.uk>) and/or Sam Keyes (S.D.Keyes@soton.ac.uk<mailto:S.D.Keyes@soton.ac.uk>).