3 Postdoc positions within forest microbiome assisted afforestation Full-time

Postdoc Positions In Forest Microbiome Manipulation

Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management and Department of Biology invites applicants for three two-year postdoc positions within forest microbiome manipulation. The positions are part of the project “MycoForest – Stimulating Forest Carbon Uptake and Storage by Mycorrhizal Inoculation”, which is financed under the Innomission Partnership INNO-CCUS by Innovation Fund Denmark. Start date is 1 February 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project The soil microbiome plays a crucial role in soil- and ecosystem functioning including ecosystem carbon sequestration and support of plant nutrient acquisition. Denmark is devoted to become carbon neutral by 2045/2050, a goal involving a significant role for biological carbon sequestration and storage. A part of the Danish strategy to reach carbon neutrality is to afforest former agricultural land thereby increasing biological ecosystem carbon capture and storage. However, agricultural soils do not harbor an optimal microbiome for initial tree growth and forest ecosystem development. This may lead to increased mortality, reduced tree growth and slower development of forest soil functions and ultimately non-optimal carbon capture, especially in the early stages of afforestation. Therefore, the MycoForest project aims to manipulate and assist the microbiome of agricultural soils through mycorrhizal inoculation as an integrated part of tree planting to stimulate tree growth and carbon sequestration. Therefore, MycoForest at University of Copenhagen is hiring three postdocs to become part of this novel journey towards increased biological carbon sequestration and to play key roles in the scientific investigations. Each of the three postdocs will cover one of three distinct areas of fundamental importance to understand and document the role of the microbiome in afforestation. The three key areas are:

• Microbial and mycorrhizal fungal development
• Soil functioning and soil carbon dynamics
• Tree survival and growth, and carbon uptake

The studies will involve controlled greenhouse as well as field scale experiments, and the three postdocs will each be responsible for one of the three specific parts of the project. At the same time, they will be closely linked to each other through tight collaboration on establishment and sampling of the afforestation experiment. The postdoc positions will start as soon as possible and will run for 2 years. For the requirements of the specific postdocs, please see the descriptions below.

Postdoc 1 – Soil microbial development after mycorrhizal inoculation The post doc will oversee the formulation and addition of fungal or other types of inoculums and will follow and quantify the mycorrhizal fungal colonization of seedlings, root and soil. Experimentation will be both in mesocosm/greenhouse conditions and in the field. Colonization will be followed in different soils and host trees with a combination of classical microscopic techniques and novel molecular methods. The studies aim to document successful establishment of mycorrhizal fungi within the indigenous communities. Therefore, we are looking for candidates with specific knowledge and hands-on with:

• Fungi in general including mycorrhizal fungi, preferentially ectomycorrhiza
• Field experience in general, handling and sorting soils and roots in specific
• Microscopy, especially stereo microscopy of roots
• DNA extraction og plants and soil and PCR optimizations including qPCR
• Bioinformatics and statistical analysis of meta-barcoding datasets

Postdoc 2 – Soil functioning and soil carbon dynamics in response to mycorrhizal inoculation The post doc will study effects of inoculation in different soil types and tree species on soil carbon processes including formation of persistent SOC fractions. The postdoc will study soil carbon dynamics in mesocosm/greenhouse conditions in close cooperation with postdoc 1 and in field experimental conditions in cooperation with postdoc 3. The project will address how inoculation and changes in the mycorrhizal community composition will affect soil carbon sequestration processes in post-agricultural soils. The studies will shed light on the extent to which inoculation with forest-associated mycorrhiza and forest soil will change the soil C input quantity and quality from roots and microbial necromass, eventually enhancing accumulation of persistent forms of SOC. We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in the fields of soil science and organic matter studies, soil ecology and biogeochemistry. Previous experience with plant-soil interactions in field, mesocosm and laboratory experiments using chemical soil analyses including soil organic carbon (organic matter fractionation and biomarkers targeting microbial and plant origin of organic matter), carbon isotopes, roots, and microbial taxonomic and functional community composition will be considered a plus.

Postdoc 3 – Tree responses to mycorrhiza inoculation The postdoc will establish and follow field experiments in practical afforestation sites and monitor plant responses such as growth and survival, mycorrhizal colonization, and plant community development. The studies will address the potential of inoculation with forest-associated mycorrhiza and forest soil to stimulate survival, growth and carbon draw down of forest trees and communities including the role of tree species and soil type interactions. We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a PhD in plant or forestry science and interest and experience in:

• Afforestation, forestry and forest ecology
• Design and analysis of experiments
• Field work and practical application of technology in land management

General qualifications Apart from the specific qualifications and interests listed above, we look for candidates with general competences in:

• Driver license (mandatory)
• Handling of plants and soil
• Organizing and conducting field sampling
• Data management
• Statistics
• Scientific writing and publishing

Our groups and research – and what do we offer? The positions are located in three different groups at the university. Postdoc 1 is with Department of Biology, Fungal Ecology lab within Section of Terrestrial Ecology. The group works with/focuses on mycorrhizal fungal communities and their impact on ecosystem processes and plant health. We apply molecular markers to disentangle these otherwise invisible fungal populations and communities associated with plants and soil. Besides molecular markers, we also apply biochemical markers as well as classic microscopy and microbiological culturing of fungi. Another methodological strongpoint is various mesh-enclosure techniques to study and compartmentalize both the function and community composition of mycorrhizal fungal mycelia in soil. Postdoc 2 and 3 are with Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, one in the Biogeochemistry group and one in the Silviculture, Trees and Bioresources group. In the Biogeochemistry Group we are dedicated to improving the understanding of ecosystem functioning with particular focus on how ecosystems will respond to environmental changes and to management actions. We quantify the pools and fluxes of matter in semi-natural and managed ecosystems and measure the processes related to input and output fluxes in control of soil C stocks to answer questions such as “Can we sequester C in soils by afforestation of cropland soils, and how does this interact with the soil fauna and microbes when using certain tree species or tree species mixtures?” The Silviculture, Trees and Bioresources group encompas expertise in forestry, ecological restoration, growth modelling and systems analysis. The group is dedicated to advance the understanding, development, and management of forest ecosystems to support a wide range of ecosystem services, including carbon storage, material and energy provision, groundwater regulation, and biodiversity conservation. Department of Biology is located at Norre Campus and Department of Geosciences on Frederiksberg Campus, close to central Copenhagen. The departments offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environments. The departments are planning to increase their focus on the climate change mitigation potential of forests in upcoming projects. We therefore welcome applications from candidates with a broader interest in the intersection of forests, forest-based climate solutions, biosphere-atmosphere interaction, and related themes.

Responsibilities and tasks Carry out independent research projects under the PI's supervision and in close collaboration with the other PostDocs and researchers within the MycoForest project. Report and disseminate the periodic progress and results Take part in relevant teaching activities Write scientific papers aimed at relevant journals Actively take part in the research environments at the departments, sections and within the project.

We are looking for the following further qualifications: Strong ability to interpret data and think analytically, critically, and conceptually. Strong social competence including interpersonal skills, teamwork and networking ability, and presentation skills Strong personal competence including autonomy, goal-oriented mind-set, planning/organizing/prioritizing, perseverance, problem-solving skills General personal leadership skills including ability to translate long-term goals to daily work situations (strategic time managing); be flexible to adjust one's own behavior and thinking according to the (relevant/local) context so as to attain the desired goals (learning ability) Good language skills and fluency in English

Terms of employment Employment is full-time and for 2 years. The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. You