School/Department School of Water, Energy and Environment
Based at Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work 37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type Fixed term contract
Fixed Term Period 21 Months
Salary £33,309 per annum
Apply by 19/05/2021

Role Description

Cranfield University’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships is creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

The School of Water, Energy and Environment and the Cranfield Soil and AgriFood Institute welcomes applications from postdoctoral graduates in soil science, environmental science, agriculture, ecology, biology, physical geography, chemistry or related discipline, or the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.

About the School of Water, Energy and Environment/Cranfield Soil and AgriFood Institute

Cranfield’s excellence in Water, Energy and Environment is recognised internationally. Industrial-scale facilities underpin our research and development in applied environmental science. The School is focused across the themes of Energy and Power, Water, and Environment and Agrifood, where the post will be located. The School is leading the University’s response to the green economy agenda in the areas of clean growth, climate adaptation and infrastructure renewal.

Within the School, the Cranfield Soil and Agrifood Institute (CSAFI) has internationally-recognised expertise in agricultural and environmental sciences, with particular strengths in soil science, applied soil and water management, soil conservation and provision of ecosystem services. Our plant and microbial scientists link to our soils research through understanding rhizosphere processes and root trait genetics, using our unique, cutting edge experimental facilities. We work closely with the Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Informatics (CEAI) to deliver multidisciplinary research, consultancy and postgraduate teaching.

About the Role

The role will take day-to-day responsibility of a project commissioned by Align / HS2, which aims to create and test suitable soil profiles for recreation of calcareous grassland. The work includes the formulation of pertinent research questions, then planning and setting up a series of large-scale experiments in the laboratory and in the field, using Cranfield’s soils laboratories and Agri-Tech Centre Soil Health Facilities. The experimental programme will monitor the performance of the different soil / substrate treatments in terms of inherent physical, biological and chemical properties, hydrological function, and vegetation establishment and growth. You will collate, analyse and interpret the results and present the findings in high quality technical reports and academic papers.

About You

You will be educated to doctoral level in a relevant subject (or close to completion) and have experience in planning, setting up and managing large scale experimental work in the laboratory and in the field, and an ability to develop new methodologies. You will have experience in complex data collection, analysis and interpretation, and in writing high quality technical reports and academic publications. With excellent project and time management skills, you will ensure that milestones and deliverables are achieved to time and to high quality. You will have a sound knowledge of environmental science in the context of both soil management and habitat recreation.

In return, the successful applicant will have exciting opportunities for career development in this key post-doctoral position, and to support world leading research and education, joining a supportive team and environment.

Our Values

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here. We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that women and minority ethnic groups are currently underrepresented within the university and so we actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from these groups.

To further demonstrate our commitment to progressing gender diversity in STEM, we are members of WES & Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day.

Flexible Working

We actively consider flexible working options such as part-time, compressed or flexible hours and/or an element of homeworking, and commit to exploring the possibilities for each role. Find out more here.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Jane Rickson, Professor of Soil Erosion and Conservation at: j.rickson@cranfield.ac.uk