Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Soil-plant feedbacks and root-induced weathering)

Within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia (Canada), we are seeking an outstanding candidate with a recent PhD (<5 years) and passionate to advance the fundamental understanding of soil-plant feedback controls on rhizosphere processes. The project implemented under highly controlled climatic conditions will target multiple processes at the frontier of several disciplines: soil chemistry, biogeochemistry, plant physiology and organic chemistry.

Work performed:

You will lead a NSERC/BC Genome/IAF/EMSL project funded for 2 years with the aim to characterize root traits and associated bioweathering processes under contrasting soil physicochemical conditions. The candidate will use advanced mass spectrometry approaches and set up a novel methodology for sampling rhizosphere solutions. You will be in charge of designing a soil-plant experimental system for monitoring plant above- and below-ground parameters as well as related changes in soil chemistry and mineralogy. The candidate will develop leads to elucidate the bioweathering mechanisms underlying the carboxylates exudation by roots and their potential role in influencing soil physicochemical and microbial properties. The candidate will also have the opportunity to supervise a team of three/four graduate and undergraduate students, gain leadership experience in collaborative projects

Qualifications:

PhD in soil sciences, plant physiology, molecular biology environmental chemistry, biogeochemistry or related discipline

Evidence of a promising publication record (importance is given to the quality instead of quantity)

Demonstrated excellent analytical skills

Hands-on expertise in geochemistry, biochemistry and/or molecular biology

Strong statistical foundation for data analysis

Expertise in rhizosphere processes, bioweathering and soil chemistry is an asset

English language proficiency

What we offer:

Our SoilRes3 research group (https://soilprocesses.landfood.ubc.ca ) needs you for your skills, expertise and interest in soil and environmental sciences and in the study of soil-plant interactions, but also for your mentorship abilities for graduate students, helping them to spreading their wings and to arouse their scientific curiosity.

We offer a high degree of flexibility and provide mentoring to support you in your preparation for the next step in your career. My standard lab policy is to make every effort to train the researcher with rigor and openness. You will be part of a dynamic team investigating soil processes and their controls on terrestrial biogeochemistry, in a highly innovative, interdisciplinary, diverse and inclusive research environment at the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.

You should reach out to current and past lab members for feedback on our research environment, and please keep it to yourself; this allows frank and fair discussions.

You will be working under the direction of Dr. Cornelis, who is always available to provide guidance on project developments. You will report directly to Dr. Cornelis and will work in a very stimulating and strongly collaborative environment with cross-cutting projects investigating soil-root interactions under changing environmental conditions.

It is Dr. Cornelis’ role to help you develop your research program with mutual interest. Dr. Cornelis runs the research group transparently regarding his career decisions that would affect his mentorship and research. Dr. Cornelis will do his best to help you with personal matters (ie. spousal accommodations, child care) once you receive the offer, to mitigate discrimination against you based on these personal factors.  If of interest, we will work with you in 2024 to extend the funding for an additional two-year period in developing a complementary project.  The minimum salary is $60,000 per year plus benefits.

How to apply:

Please do not let personal matters or lack of some skills make you feel you are ineligible for any position here. If some skills are missing, they can generally be taught. 

The review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. Preferred start dates are January-February 2023.  Please send in one PDF file your CV and contacts for two references, as well as a 1-page cover letter stating your career goals and fit for the position to jack.edgar@ubc.ca . The shortlisted candidates will be contacted.