Description Position Details School of Biosciences 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 December 2028 Closing date: 8th October 2025 UK and International travel may be required for this role Background The School of Biosciences and the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research wishes to recruit a Doctoral Research Fellows (PhD studentship) to support the work of Professor Estrella Diez. This European Council funded PhD studentships is available from 01/01/2026 for three years. The successful applicant will be responsible for undertaking research on assessing the defence capacity of mature trees against biotic stresses under elevated CO₂ (eCO₂), 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 organisations) for delivering an interdisciplinary, integrated and transferable career skills programme. Individual projects within the FutureForests programme maps 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 at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) and the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham, UK focuses on assessing the defence capacity of mature trees against biotic stresses under elevated CO₂ (eCO₂). Whilst elevated CO₂ is known to enhance plant productivity, emerging research suggests that it may also alter plant immune responses. In herbaceous plants and seedlings, eCO₂ has been shown to reduce resistance to pests and pathogens and to interfere with a phenomenon known as priming of defence, a process that enables plants to respond more rapidly and strongly to future threats. However, almost nothing is known about how mature trees, which form the backbone of forest ecosystems, will respond. Over the last nine years of CO₂ enrichment at BIFoR’s Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) facility, we have observed that mature trees do not appear to show increased susceptibility to powdery mildew or insect infestation (Sánchez-Lucas et al., bioRxiv). Moreover, we have shown that oak seedlings are capable of expressing priming of defence against powdery mildew disease (Sánchez-Lucas et al., 2025). This PhD project will investigate whether and how eCO₂ affects disease resistance and defence priming in mature oak trees. Objectives Using the world-leading BIFoR FACE facility, which exposes a real forest to elevated CO₂, the project will: Track disease and insect damage in mature trees to assess whether eCO₂ increases vulnerability to biotic stress under varying climate conditions. 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. Experimentally simulate heat stress on collected leaves to explore how abiotic factors interact with CO₂ in shaping immune priming. Role Summary Plan and undertake the designated doctoral research project on assessing on 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 plan own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed programme of research and co-ordinate 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 to be responsible for continually updating own knowledge and understanding in 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(ss) 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 on trade-offs of soil organic carbon for biomass carbon gain in temperate forests under elevated atmospheric CO 2 enrichment at BIFoR-FACE Learn to understand and then undertake both field and laboratory research on soil organic matter dynamics, enzyme functions and nutrient cycling processes to address the project specific objectives Familiarise and master with 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 Organise, 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 the 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 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 Applicants should demonstrate excellent communication skills, self-motivation, an 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 An aptitude for field and laboratory research and data curation A commitment to collaborative and interdisciplinary research as well as 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 Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly Application Process The 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. Estrella Luna Diez, email: e.lunadiez@bham.ac.uk We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .