Research Associate in Plant/ Soil Microbial Ecology

The at the of Imperial College London is seeking a microbial ecologist interested in pineering a new approach towards suppressing the pathogens of one of the world’s most important staple crops, wheat (T. aestivum). We aim to do this through manipulation of the extant soil microbiome. The project aims to 1) optimise/engineer soil microbiomes to aid the suppression of the take-all fungus, Gaeumannomyces tritci, in the wheat rhizosphere; and 2) to advance our fundamental understanding of microbial community dynamics in complex environments. This project represents a multi-disciplinary collaboration among the , , and labs.

Through directed artificial selection, we will develop soil microbiomes that exhibit suppression of take-all disease in the greenhouse setting. Working in climate-controlled growth facilities and with the assistance of a laboratory technician, you will lead the development of a soil microbiome to reduce disease virulence and improve crop yield. With the assistance of bioinformaticians and mathematicians within the wider group you will go on to identify the microbial taxa and/or metabolic networks which most strongly influence crop performance. As such, you will play a key role in the development of a sustainable, microbial solution, combatting one of the most harmful diseases of wheat crops. 

Your primary task will be to design and carry out lab/CE-room experiments to explore ways to manipulate and optimise soil microbiomes to promote wheat growth and/or suppress resistance to G. tritici. You will work as part of a diversly skilled collaboration, all based at the Silwood Park campus of Imperial College London and working on this system and overarching goal to develop a sustainable strategy to control take-all disease in wheat. The experiment will also involve some exploration into the use of robotics and spectral analysis in assessing crop health.

You will be assisted in this effort by a team of four PDRAs, two research technicians, and many post-graduate students across the five collaborating lab groups, who will be engaged in the laboratory optimisation of the disease-suppressing inoculum, molecular and culture-based studies of microbial physiology, and computational modelling to understand and predict the dynamics of microbial communities. By working closely together, this team has the potential to significantly advance our capacity to manage complex microbiomes to improve the sustainability of agriculture. You will therefore be expected to interact frequently with your colleagues in the laboratory, in the field, and through regular group meetings. You will also have the opportunity to supervise of undergraduate and post-graduate student projects. Finally, you will be provided the resources to advance your own career along your desired path, through mentorship, professional development opportunities, and opportunities to develop collaborations that extend beyond the core group, including with and . 

You will be expected to communicate the findings of your research through conference presentations and scientific publications. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to connect directly with farmers and other local stakeholders who are collaborating with our research group.