Overview
Salary: Fixed salary of £49,747; additional allowances may be applicable depending on circumstances.
Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to December 2028.
Background
This post is available from 01/01/2026 for three years. This research assesses the defence capacity of mature trees against biotic stresses under elevated CO2 (eCO2) at Birmingham Institute of Forest Research’s Free Air CO2 Enrichment (BIFoR-FACE) as part of the FutureForests Doctoral Network, an EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) initiative. Project objectives include: 1) Track disease and insect damage in mature trees to assess whether eCO2 increases vulnerability to biotic stress under varying climate conditions; 2) analyse molecular and structural changes, including transcriptomic responses and cell wall modifications (e.g. callose deposition), to reveal how defence pathways are altered under eCO2; and 3) experimentally simulate heat stress on collected leaves to explore how abiotic factors interact with CO2 in shaping immune priming. Complementary analysis will be conducted at the drought manipulation facility at the University of Innsbruck, Austria.
Person Specification
Qualifications and experience: Applicants with a relevant background and a Master’s degree in plant biology, molecular biology, environmental science, or a related field, and a strong interest in plant–environment interactions. Demonstrated aptitude for field research and willingness to work across partner facilities. Applicants should comply with MSCA mobility rules: generally, 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 recruitment (Jan 2026). Must not hold a doctoral degree (PhD) by the recruitment date. Appointed candidate will be enrolled in a PhD programme and will present research progress, prepare manuscripts, and write up the PhD thesis with three research chapters.
Additional information: Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Estrella Luna Diez, email: e.lunadiez@bham.ac.uk
To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.
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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working
Salary noted above: £49,747. Grade 7
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