This project takes advantage of a long-term forest monitoring network in Switzerland, of which an archive of 2100 fungal mycelium samples from soil cores down to 100 cm is available. Your main task will be to characterise the deep soil fungal communities using long-read sequencing and shotgun metagenomics to obtain functional insights. You will be modelling the deep soil fungal communities with a wealth of environmental metadata like soil chemistry, N deposition and tree physiology. The goal is to advance our understanding of how exploitation of deeply located nutrient and water resources by soil fungi may improve tree health.
We are looking for talented candidates with a doctoral degree and a background in microbial ecology, forest biology or similar. Candidates are expected to have experience in fungal ecology, (meta-)genomics, bioinformatics, and multivariate statistics. Experiences in forest ecology and biogeochemistry are welcomed but not required. You are highly self-motivated and committed, have a proactive mindset and a getting-things-done attitude. We are looking for a highly flexible (periodic work abroad), well organized, detail-oriented and collaborative person with good communication skills and the ability to work well in an interdisciplinary and international environment. Fluency in spoken and written English is a prerequisite.