Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Miscanthus Bioenergy & Soil Remediation

Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Miscanthus Bioenergy & Soil Remediation

Join to apply for the Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Miscanthus Bioenergy & Soil Remediation role at Liverpool John Moores University
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Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a distinctive institution rooted in the Liverpool City Region with a global presence. Our students and staff, past, present, and future, are the beating heart of our city and found in every corner of every industry and community. Working with the people of Liverpool to improve lives and support communities is at the heart of why we were founded and why we exist today.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative project funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) Innovate Ukraine Programme. The project:
Miscanthus Energy for a Resilient and Inclusive Transition (MERIT) aims to increase Miscanthus biomass production in Ukraine. Ukraine has over 2 million hectares of arable land left unused due to war‑related contamination. MERIT aims to use Miscanthus to produce renewable biomass for decentralised heating, biogas, and energy generation and restore damaged and abandoned land through phytoremediation.

You will work on the biofuel crop Miscanthus, leading studies to emulate specific soil toxicity states and identifying variety‑specific resistance to toxins, and compartmentalisation of toxins in plant structures. Key tasks will include establishing and monitoring trials on campus and field sites with local partners; quantifying contents of soil and plant toxicity; measuring plant morphological and physiological responses; collating comprehensive datasets from project partners and undertaking appropriate Genotype x Environment x Treatment analysis;

and writing academic publications. A small part of the project will investigate cold tolerance in specific varieties. You may also assist across the broader projects within the group.

A proven ability to undertake and lead plant biology field research activities is essential, and publishing in international peer‑reviewed journals is desirable. You will also have an enthusiastic and co‑operative attitude, be well‑suited to working as part of a team, supervising and advising more junior members of the team on occasion, and contributing to essential field, laboratory, and project management tasks.

There is the opportunity to apply your own research interests within this project to broaden the scope of the study beyond the project deliverables.

This is a fixed‑term post up to 18 months, depending on start date.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr R. Webster at

In return, we offer an excellent benefits package including generous annual leave entitlement, a pension scheme, induction and development support, and family‑friendly policies.

LJMU is an equal‑opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and communities irrespective of age, transgender status, disability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and religion or belief. All appointments are made on merit.

Please note all vacancies will be closed to applications at midnight on the advertised closing date, unless otherwise stated.

LJMU is committed to adhering to the principles set out in the Researcher Development Concordat; therefore all fixed‑term researchers will be supported to complete 10 days of professional development activities per year (pro‑rata).