Doctoral Research Fellow - FutureForests

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

Location: Birmingham

Salary: £49,747 Grade 7

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 11th September 2025

Closes: 7th October 2025

Job Ref: 106225

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 Professor Sami Ullah. This post is available from 01/01/2026 for three years. The successful applicant will be responsible for undertaking research on assessing the trade-offs of soil organic carbon for biomass carbon gain in temperate forests under elevated atmospheric CO2 enrichment (at BIFoR-FACE) as part the FutureForests Doctoral Network, an EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s Actions (MSCA) initiative. Over the last 9 years of CO2 enrichment at BIFoR-FACE, mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM) increased significantly to meet enhanced tree nitrogen demands. The faster nitrogen supply in soils is driven by enhanced root exudation into the rhizosphere together with increased fine root biomass and mycorrhizal turnover for rhizosphere priming for nutrient acquisition. This raises a question if enhanced N acquisition via SOM mineralization may result in trading stable soil carbon via enhanced decomposition for tree carbon gains. Objectives are to 1) Assess changes in the quantity and quality of SOM in soils using fractionations and solid state NMR spectroscopy and, 2) investigate soil enzyme functions, and N mineralization in fresh soils following 10 years of eCO2 enrichment.

Person Specification

Applicants with relevant background and a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Chemistry, Biology or related disciplines. Applicants should demonstrate strong aptitude for field research and willingness to second to partner facilities in Europe for research (Germany, Austria & Italy). 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. Sami Ullah, email: s.ullah@bham.ac.uk

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