MSCA FutureForests Doctoral Network Researcher in “Drought and soil warming effects on soil biodiversity and organic matter decomposition and soil C fluxes”, Aix-Marseille Université, France

The FutureForests Doctoral Network is an EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s Actions (MSCA) initiative, which aims to train 15 next generation scientists in assessing the impacts of global change on European forests utilising a unique network of European flagship field forest facilities covering the dominant forest types and regions (dry Mediterranean, temperate and boreal) in Europe. FutureForests connects nine manipulation facilities for addressing emerging research questions and engages >20 academic and associated partners (NGOs, Industry & Government organizations) for delivering an interdisciplinary, integrated and transferable career skills programme.

Individual projects within the FutureForests programme maps into four key interrelated science objectives with a focus on assessing responses of 1) tree functional processes including leaf metabolism, growth, C and water relations, 2) soil processes including nutrient cycling and soil organic matter dynamics, 3) impacts of global change on biodiversity and tree vulnerability to pest and diseases, and, 4) advancing modelling of forest responses to climate extremes and fire risk reduction. FutureForests combines excellent trainings for doctoral researchers, diverse supervisions and international mobility for impactful research to benefit society and the economy and to inform forest policies under the EU Green Deal and international climate mitigation efforts (Paris Climate Agreement, 2015). FutureForests is to provide next generation scientists with skills and knowledge “most wanted” in academic and non-academic employability sectors.

This Doctoral Researcher position at the Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology at Aix-Marseille University (Marseille, France) focuses on soil biodiversity driven degradation of SOM and the long-term soil C sequestration in Mediterranean oak forests. SOM decomposition and heterotrophic soil respiration are major determinants of forest C budget and are predominantly controlled by temperature and precipitation. As current climate change in Europe predicts simultaneous warmer and dryer conditions, these two climatic component variations are expected to exhibit antagonist or synergistic effects on soil biodiversity and associated ecosystem functions. The DR will study soil biodiversity and their cascading effects on soil C fluxes and stocks 1) in response to altered precipitation regimes in long-term rainfall manipulation experiments, 2) in response to the interactive effects of drought and warming.

Key objectives of this studentship are: to describe the effect of experimental drought, soil warming and forest management on soil biodiversity (fauna, microorganisms) linked to litter decomposition, soil respiration and C stocks on AnaEE (O3HP, Puechabon) forested experimental sites. The student will be seconded to ELGO-FRI and UNIBO for 2 months each (M20-23) in order i) to study the impact of N deposition on soil fauna taxonomic and functional community structure (UNIBO Nitrogen manipulation study site) and ii) to improve research skills in microclimate instrumentation and use of field sensors for environmental monitoring (ELGO-FRI Understory removal study site).

More infos at: https://futureforests.uk/team/

TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY

JOB STATUS: FULL TIME

HOURS PER WEEK: 39h10

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 06/11/2025 12:00

ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 05/01/2026

ENVISAGED DURATION: 36 months

JOB FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME: FutureForests Doctoral Network, EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s Actions (MSCA) initiative

WORK LOCATION(S): IMBE LAB, Campus Saint Jérôme Aix-Marseille Université. Two months in each of the two other partner institutions ELGO-FRI (Hellenic Agricultural organization, Greece) and UNIBO (University of Bologna, Italy).

WHAT WE OFFER:

1. Full employment contract with competitive salary for three years;
2. Access to state-of-the-art forest manipulation facilities, laboratories and expert supervision;
3. International secondments and training events.

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS: In terms of experience, we are looking for someone with a relevant background and a Master’s degree in Ecological/Environmental Sciences.

Eligibility requirements: Must not have a doctoral degree (PhD) by the recruitment date; 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); Can be of any nationality; Must hold a Master’s degree by the start date (Jan 2026); Should be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project; Good English proficiency and writing skills; Be available to start full time from January 2026; Have a driving licence.

Soft skills: Applicants should demonstrate strong communication skills, self-motivation, an aptitude for field research and a commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary research.

REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS: Application Process: Your complete application must be submitted through AMU PhD applicant portal. The application should include the following documents: 1. Curriculum Vitae; 2. A max two-page cover letter for the applicant vision for the selected project and how they see meeting the essential criteria of the project; 3. BSc and MSc diplomas along with their translations in English; 4. If available, links to the scientific publications, degree or diploma theses; 5. Contact details of at least two academic or professional references.

Selection process: Our selection procedure is open, transparent, merit-based, impartial, and equitable, in line with the MSCA Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code).