"Research Technician Soil Microbial Ecology"

We wish to appoint a highly committed and capable research technician to provide technical support for a project focussed on exploring the diversity, stability and functioning of the soil microbiome (SoilResist). The position is part of an ERC Advanced Grant awarded to Professor Richard Bardgett, which seeks to: (i) develop a mechanistic understanding of the factors that underpin the resistance and resilience of complex soil microbial communities and their functioning to anthropogenic perturbations; and (ii) identity critical thresholds for abrupt transitions of microbial communities to alternative states and consequences for soil functioning.

This six-month, full-time position will work closely with a team of three postdoctoral scientists and the principal investigator to provide technical support in the sampling and laboratory processing of soil and vegetation samples from a mesocosms experiment that was designed to test how plant diversity and nutrient enrichment moderate soil microbial responses to drought.

You will have experience in the analysis of soils for nutrients and microbial properties using a range of experimental approaches and be competent in data management. You should hold a BSc in a relevant science and be willing to work in the field.

You will be part of the newly established Centre for Sustainable Soils at Lancaster University, which has newly refurbished laboratories with state-of-the-art facilities for soil microbial and biogeochemical analysis, including molecular assessment of soils.

This post is available from the 8th September 2025 and is available for six months, although extensions may be possible subject to funding.

Informal inquiries are welcome and may be directed to Professor Richard Bardgett: r.d.bardgett1@lancaster.ac.uk

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