Location: Highfield Campus

Full Time- Fixed Term for 3 Years

Interview Date: Thursday 18 June 2015 

The BBSRC project “Rhizosphere by design: breeding to select root traits that physically manipulate soil”. This post is one of three postdoctoral positions that form an exciting new consortium between the University of Southampton, University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute.

In this project we explore root traits that could produce the next generation of crops.  An ultimate goal is a rhizosphere formation and function model that integrates root traits and soil properties. As such it requires data on hydrological, mechanical and biological processes that affect the behaviour of soils at the root-soil interface. You will use the µ-VIS multiscale X-ray CT facility in Southampton to image how plant roots grow in soil and how soil structure is altered by their presence. As part of a core BBSRC SARISA team, joined by another PDRA at Southampton to deal with modelling of plant soil interaction and another postdoc in Aberdeen/Dundee conducting experiments on plant-soil interactions.

You will join a large interdisciplinary team studying plant soil interaction using X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) and multiscale mathematical modelling. All human food comes from plants and 80% of it is directly plants. In order for plants to grow they need to get nutrients and water from the soil. Hence in is of paramount importance to understand how plants and soil interact

To be successful you will need a track record of producing peer reviewed publications and an ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team. You will hold a PhD or equivalent in applied mathematics, computational engineering, soil physics or related discipline. A keen interest in X-Ray CT methodologies, image analysis and plant-soil interaction problems. Mathematical modelling, asymptotic analysis and computer simulation is absolutely essential for this position.

You will join one of the UK’s most dynamic centres for engineering and environmental research and education rated number one for research power in REF2014. We have an excellent record of collaborative research with industry and academic institutions in the UK and abroad.

The Faculty has nearly 200 academic staff working in a number of research themes (http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/research/themes.page).

In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science and engineering we were awarded an Athena SWAN bronze award in September 2013 and intend to submit an application for Silver in November 2015.

The University of Southampton is the top one per cent of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities

The University has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward. This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

Date of interview: 18 June 2015

Informal enquiries before application are welcomed. Please contact Professor Tiina Roose at t.roose@soton.ac.uk, or Dr Sam Keyes s.d.keyes@soton.ac.ukor Professor Paul Hallett paul.hallett@abdn.ac.uk.

Application Procedure

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Geraldine Lewis (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2507. Please quote reference 546215BX on all correspondence.

Further details:

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted unless indicated in the job advert.