Doctoral Research Fellow - FutureForests - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science[...]

Position Details

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Fixed salary of £49,747; additional allowances may be applicable depending on circumstances

Grade: 7 (Spot)

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2029

Closing date: 7th October 2025

UK travel may be required for this role

Background

The School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research wishes to recruit Doctoral Research Fellow (PhD studentship) to support the work of Professor Sami Ullah. This European Council funded PhD studentship is available from 01/01/2026 for three years. The successful applicant will be responsible for undertaking research on assessing trade-offs of soil organic carbon for biomass carbon gain in temperate forests under elevated atmospheric CO2 enrichment as part the FutureForests Doctoral Network, an EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie’s Actions (MSCA) initiative.

FutureForests 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 map 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 specific Doctoral Research Fellow position at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) and School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, UK focuses on assessing trade-offs of soil organic carbon for biomass carbon gain in temperate forests under elevated atmospheric CO2 enrichment. Over the last 9 years of CO2 enrichment at BIFoR’s Free Air CO2 Enrichment (BIFoR-FACE), mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM) increased significantly to meet enhanced tree nitrogen demands. The faster nitrogen supply in soils is driven by enhanced root exudation into the rhizosphere together with increased fine root biomass and mycorrhizal turnover for nutrient acquisition. This raises a question if enhanced N acquisition via SOM mineralization may trade stable soil carbon for biomass carbon gains.

Key objectives of this studentship are: (1) Assess changes in the quantity and quality of SOM in soils collected over 11 years (fresh and archived soils) using fractionations and NMR spectroscopy and (2) investigate soil enzyme functions and N mineralization in fresh soils following 10 years of eCO2 enrichment. Complementary analysis of SOM quantity and enzyme functions at selected manipulation facilities in Italy (University of Bologna), Germany (Technical University of Munich) and Switzerland (WSL Research Centre) will be undertaken to compare eCO2, recurrent droughts and vapour pressure deficits impacts on SOM stocks and resilience under global change.

Role Summary

• Plan and undertake the designated doctoral research project on assessing trade-offs of soil organic carbon for biomass carbon gain in temperate forests under elevated atmospheric CO2 enrichment at BIFoR-FACE
• Learn to undertake both field and laboratory research on soil organic matter dynamics, enzyme functions and nutrient cycling processes
• Plan own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed programme of research and coordinate own work with that of others in the group to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating research funding and contribute to writing bids
• Engage in continuous professional development and be responsible for continually updating own knowledge and understanding in the field of study or specialism and for developing own skills
• Write at least three chapters/articles and introduction for PhD thesis submission by end of the studentship contract

Main Duties

To support, coordinate and lead research activity under the direction of the principal investigator(s) as appropriate to the FutureForests project.

Specific to this Doctoral Research Fellowship

• Understand state of the art theoretical and practical aspects of the designated doctoral research project on assessing trade-offs of soil organic carbon for biomass carbon gain in temperate forests under elevated atmospheric CO2 enrichment at BIFoR-FACE
• Learn to undertake both field and laboratory research on soil organic matter dynamics, enzyme functions and nutrient cycling processes to address the project specific objectives
• Familiarize and master key environmental analytical instruments (spectrometry, spectroscopy and colorimetry, etc.) and procedures (e.g. enzyme assays) for the characterization and analysis of soils samples collected at BIFoR-FACE and at manipulation facilities in Europe during the studentship secondment under the FutureForests project
• Organize, analyse, interpret and curate the experimental data generated
• Write at least three chapters/articles and introduction for PhD thesis submission by end of the studentship contract

Generic

• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation and literature reviews
• Analyse and interpret data including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example as presentations (oral and poster) at project meetings and conferences
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and fellow/visiting student working at BIFoR-FACE under the FutureForest project; contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods under the proposed project
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Undertake management/administration arising from the FutureForests research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the FutureForest project and the University, often under supervision of a supervisory board
• Collect research data via field and laboratory research
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and fellow PhD students at BIFoR-FACE who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• Applicants with relevant background and a master’s degree in Environmental Science, Plant Sciences, Chemistry, Biology or related disciplines
• Excellent communication skills, self-motivation, aptitude for field research, and a commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary work
• Must not have a doctoral degree (PhD) by the recruitment date
• Must hold a Master’s degree by the start date (Jan 2026)
• Should be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project
• Be available to start full time from January 2026
• Good English proficiency and writing skills
• 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)
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Aptitude for field and laboratory research and data curation
• A commitment to collaborative and interdisciplinary research and willingness to second to partner facilities across Europe for research under the project
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme under the FutureForest project
• Coordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Application Process

Your application should include the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• 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
• BSc and MSc diplomas along with their translations in English
• If available, links to the scientific publications, degree or diploma theses
• Contact details of at least two academic or professional references

Informal enquiries to Prof. Sami Ullah, email: s.ullah@bham.ac.uk

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