Senior Research Associate: Soil Carbon Dynamics

Senior Research Associate:
Soil Carbon Dynamics - 0971-25

Lancaster Environment Centre
Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK
Salary: £39,906 to £48,882 Full time, Fixed Term
Closing Date: Wednesday 31 December 2025
Interview Date: Friday 23 January 2026
Reference: 0971-25

Recent work has shown that soil carbon concentrations in forests depends on whether trees associate with either ectomycorrhizal or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on their roots. In this exciting project, we seek to test the mechanisms underpinning these observations, and how global climate change factors, notably elevated atmospheric CO2, may affect them.

The project will use a suite of cutting‑edge technologies (e.g. stable and radioisotope tracers) applied to field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments, including the use of the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research FACE experiment, and surrounding managed forests.

The Senior Research Associate, and associated technician, will be based at Lancaster University within the research group led by Prof David Johnson, in the newly formed Centre for Sustainable soils. The project is in collaboration with Birmingham and Liverpool Universities, offering superb opportunities for training and development, and interaction with a large team of scientists across institutions.

We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.