Doctoral Research Fellow - FutureForests

University of Birmingham - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Salary: Fixed salary of £49,747 additional allowances may be applicable depending on circumstances

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to August 2029

Background

The University of Birmingham, UK wishes to recruit a Doctoral Research Fellow to support the work of Dr Alice Gauthey. This post is available from 01/01/2026 for three years. The successful applicant will be responsible for undertaking research on the tree carbon dynamic and allocation under elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and warmer temperatures (at BIFoR-FACE) as part of the FutureForests Doctoral Network: an EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s Actions (MSCA) initiative. Trees at BIFoR-FACE facility have been subjected to higher [CO2] for the past 9 years. Under CO2 enrichment, trees have shown increased photosynthesis resulting in greater woody biomass and enhanced water-use efficiency. However, whether these changes will be sustained under a warmer climate is still unknown. Objectives are: 1) Assess changes in gas exchange under eCO2 and warmer temperatures, 2) investigate the changes in carbon storage dynamics across the growing season and 3) improve our understanding of the interaction of CO2 and temperatures on forest dynamics through modelling. Complementary analysis will be undertaken at selected manipulation facilities in Germany and Estonia to compare eCO2, recurrent droughts and vapour pressure deficits impacts on carbon dynamics.

Person Specification

Applicants with relevant background and a master’s degree in environmental science and plant sciences, Biology or related disciplines. Applicants should demonstrate strong aptitude for field research and willingness to second to partner facilities. Applicants should comply with the MSCA mobility rules: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date (Jan 2026). Must not have a doctoral degree (PhD) by the recruitment date. Appointed candidate will be enrolled in a PhD programme.

The successful applicant will be able to present research progress and prepare manuscripts and write up of PhD thesis with three research chapters.

Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Alice Gauthey, email: a.gauthey@bham.ac.uk

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