The Vacancy
Developing crop cultivars that are resilient to climate change and can help mitigate its effects will be critical to supporting healthy soils and reducing the environmental impact of food production. Key to this are the interactions plants have with soil microorganisms. Plants can influence microbial communities in the soil by releasing chemicals known as rhizodeposits through their roots. In turn, root associated microorganisms can influence plant growth through their mediation of soil nutrient cycling processes. Understanding plant-microbe interactions is central to maintaining nutrient supply to crops; resilience to abiotic and biotic climate change stresses; reducing soil greenhouse gas emissions; and enhancing soil health. However, characterising such interactions remains challenging.
This PhD will combine cutting edge genomics (to characterise soil microbial communities), metabolomics (to characterise rhizodeposits) and isotope biogeochemistry (to characterise C and N cycling process) in order to develop coupled multi-omic approaches that will allow the investigation rhizodeposition-mediated regulation of microbial communities and the nutrient cycling processes they mediate. To achieve this the project will use a range of plant genotypes grown in steady-state 13CO₂ labelling facilities. As the plants fix the 13C, the fate of this carbon can be traced into soil, microorganisms and the atmosphere using recently developed stable isotope metabolomics and DNA based stable isotope probing.
The project will provide an opportunity to
* Gain experience with cutting-edge methods at the intersection of plant science, microbial ecology and biogeochemistry
* Obtain bioinformatics and multivariate statistical training relevant to analysing multi-omic datasets
* Be involved in high-impact research with real-world applications in climate resilience, sustainable food production, and environmental protection
* Be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary training environment split between two world-class institutions.
The project will be based at the James Hutton Institute a world-leading independent scientific research organisation based in Scotland. The studentship will also partner with the University of Manchester the top University in Europe for its impact in improving sustainability; The Times Higher Education Impact rankings 2025; and home to world class mass spectrometry facilities for conducting cutting edge stable isotope metabolomics.
This 4 year studentship opportunity is open to UK students and provides funding to cover stipend, UK tuition fees and consumable/travel costs.
Students must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the UKRI guidance on UK and international candidates. Applicants will have a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent).
This project is based at the Dundee site of the James Hutton Institute, UK.
Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity
We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.
The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.
The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.