PhD: Plant-Soil-Microbe Interactions & N Fixation

KU LEUVEN; Belgique; On-site; EUR 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PhD scholarship

International environment

Training program

Flexible work arrangement

Health benefits

Job summary

KU Leuven invites applications for a full-time PhD scholarship focused on plant–soil–water–microbe interactions controlling free-living nitrogen fixation in the rhizosphere. You will explore root exudation, Mo biogeochemistry, and microbial N fixation under varied soil-water conditions, integrating outcomes into a model and contributing to international collaborations.

As part of a stimulating, multi-disciplinary team, you will publish in journals, present at conferences, and supervise master’s

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant bioscience field.
• Strong background in soil science and biogeochemistry.
• Interest in soil-plant-water interactions and feedbacks in terrestrial ecosystems.
• Enthusiasm for laboratory and experimental work.
• Good written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Quantify root exudation under contrasting soil and water conditions.
• Measure free-living nitrogen fixation rates and link to diazotroph activity.
• Study carboxylates mobilising Mo from soil minerals using batch experiments and advanced tools.
• Investigate effects of soil moisture and drying-rewetting on exudation, Mo availability and N fixation.
• Develop a conceptual/quantitative model of plant-soil feedback loops.
• Publish results in international journals and supervise master students.

Skills

Soil science

Biogeochemistry

Lab work

English proficiency

Independent and team work

Education

Master's degree in Bioscience Engineering / Soil Science / Environmental Sciences / Earth Sciences / Biology / Chemistry or related field

Tools

ICP-MS

Chromatography

Stable isotopes

R

Python

Job description

KU Leuven invites applications for a full-time PhD scholarship focused on plant–soil–water–microbe interactions controlling free-living nitrogen fixation in the rhizosphere. You will explore root exudation, Mo biogeochemistry, and microbial N fixation under varied soil-water conditions, integrating outcomes into a model and contributing to international collaborations.

As part of a stimulating, multi-disciplinary team, you will publish in journals, present at conferences, and supervise master’s