Doctoral fellow

Job description

We have an open position for a PhD in a multidisciplinary project funded by the special research fund (BOF) of Ghent University, on:
“The contribution of nematodes to soil N cycling and plant growth: feedback mechanisms with roots and the rhizosphere microbial communities”
Description
Soil biology is the new frontier in environmental sciences, and received overwhelming and ever increasing attention in recent years, but despite the rapidly evolving knowledge on soil biodiversity as such, its relation with crucial soil functions remains largely unexplored. The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles in soil are tightly coupled and determine crucial processes with respect to agricultural production (e.g. N availability) and to environmental problems (N leaching losses, emissions of the greenhouse gases CO2, N2O and CH4, C sequestration, …). It has been frequently suggested that soil microfauna (nematodes, protists) play a very important part in C and N cycling, but research in this field has largely ignored the role of microfauna and their interactions with plant roots, bacteria and fungi, mostly as a result of the phenomenal methodological challenges in this type of research. In the past decade, we have achieved breakthroughs in this field and we were e.g. the first to quantify the contribution of the entire soil nematode community in realistic soil conditions. In this project, we will set up unique multitrophic experiments controlling for the presence of specific trophic groups of nematodes and their combinations, to assess how herbivorous nematodes control rhizodeposition, how this root derived carbon cascades to the microbial community and to the bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes, and the feedback mechanisms on plant (roots). To this end, we will use 13C stable isotope labelling to track the rhizodeposition as a function of time, and its redistribution over the soil decomposer community. We will monitor the evolution of root trait development using both destructive and non-destructive methods, and assess how the activity of microfauna controls this development, both directly and indirectly. We will also investigate how nematode trophic groups and their combination influence N2O emissions from soil, potentially leading to improved management to reduce N2O emissions. Finally, this project will produce unique data that should allow to critically evaluate existing soil food web models, and propose new concepts for such models, and that may allow to increase our prediction of N dynamics in biogeochemical simulation models.
A timely research project of great importance for soil health, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem functioning, soil biodiversity

This project, financed by the BOF-UGent, will be carried out by a unique UGent-ILVO consortium combining all necessary infrastructure and background knowledge, consisting of following research groups:
• Research Group Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management, Department Environment, FBE-UGent (prof. Stefaan De Neve, prof. Steven Sleutel): soil nutrient and C cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, role of nematodes and protists in soil C and N cycling, non-destructive visualization of soil structure and plant roots using X-ray CT
• Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, FW-UGent (prof. Anne Willems): bacteria-plants symbioses, molecular analysis of bacterial community composition
• ILVO Plant (and Laboratory of Agrozoology, FBE-UGent) (prof. Wim Wesemael): biology and management of plant-parasitic nematodes, morphological and molecular analysis of soil nematodes
The doctoral student will also be directly supervised by an experienced postdoctoral researcher in this field.

Job profile

MSc in Bioscience engineering or related study field
Interest in multidisciplinary research in the broad field of soil biology
Good command of spoken and written English
Willingness to participate in teaching and supervision activities: assistance with practicals (max. 5% of your time), tutoring of students for bachelor project and/or Master thesis
Willingness to perform short study stays abroad if so required for the research

What we can offer you

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 09/01/2024 at the earliest. (negotiable)
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

How to apply

Send your application (see below) to stefaan.deneve@ugent.be with the heading ‘Application BOF_Soil Biology_Last name_First name' before 10 August, 2024. Provide the following documents as attachments:
• your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
• your application letter
• a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession): students that will finish in September '24 are also welcome to apply
• if you have a foreign diploma provide evidence of English language proficiency
Candidates found fit based on CV screening will be invited for an interview upon invitation. Include your email address and telephone number to allow us to get in contact.
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Stefaan De Neve (stefaan.deneve@ugent.be, +32(0)9 264 60 61).