The research group “Plant Microbe Interactions” at the Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel (https://duw.unibas.ch/en/plant-microbe-interactions/) is welcoming applications for a postdoctoral researcher. We investigate fundamental questions in plant microbiome biology, to uncover how microbes contribute to plant growth. The open position is part of a collaborative project with the Institute for Applied Plant Biology, (Witterswil, Switzerland; https://www.iap.ch/team.html) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Uppsala, Sweden; https://www.slu.se/en/ew-cv/bjorn-lindahl/). With the SNSF funded project “Deep soil ectomycorrhizal communities of beech forests” we aim at uncovering diversity and functional properties of ectomycorrhizal communities in deep layers of forest soils.

Your position

This project takes advantage of a long-term forest monitoring network in Switzerland, of which an archive of 2100 fungal mycelium samples from soil cores down to 100 cm is available. Your main task will be to characterise the deep soil fungal communities using long-read sequencing and shotgun metagenomics to obtain functional insights. You will be modelling the deep soil fungal communities with a wealth of environmental metadata like soil chemistry, N deposition and tree physiology. The goal is to advance our understanding of how exploitation of deeply located nutrient and water resources by soil fungi may improve tree health.

Your profile

We are looking for talented candidates with a doctoral degree and a background in microbial ecology, forest biology or similar. Candidates are expected to have experience in fungal ecology, (meta-)genomics, bioinformatics, and multivariate statistics. Experiences in forest ecology and biogeochemistry are welcomed but not required. You are highly self-motivated and committed, have a proactive mindset and a getting-things-done attitude. We are looking for a highly flexible (periodic work abroad), well organized, detail-oriented and collaborative person with good communication skills and the ability to work well in an interdisciplinary and international environment. Fluency in spoken and written English is a prerequisite.

We offer you

We offer a dynamic research environment, including state-of-the art research facilities and enthusiastic colleagues from different nationalities and scientific backgrounds. The position is 100%, limited to 3 years and includes work in Sweden and Switzerland. Salary and social benefits are provided according to University of Basel rules. The position is available from now on; start upon agreement.

Application / Contact

Please submit your complete application documents as pdf including a motivation letter, a complete CV and publication record, and contact details of two references. Applications must be uploaded to the recruiting portal. For further information please contact Prof. Björn Lindahl (bjorn.lindahl@slu.se) or Prof. Klaus Schlaeppi (klaus.schlaeppi@unibas.ch). Review of applications will begin in DIN week 45, and will continue until the position is filled.

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