Research Fellow in Soil Microbiology

We welcome applications from passionate, creative and motivated researchers to lead the delivery of innovative microbiology research exploring how biological processes move carbon into weathered rock and soil parent materials. 

About the Role

This is a Research Fellow role embedded within a major externally funded research programme in soil science. You will lead the delivery of a substantial component of a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, delivering field, laboratory and experimental research to understand how microbial communities, epilithic organisms and plant roots contribute to organic carbon transport and transformation during soil formation. The role will involve designing and running experiments, coordinating field and laboratory activities in the UK and internationally, analysing and interpreting complex datasets, and publishing high-quality scientific outputs. Working closely with the research lead and wider project team, you will help deliver novel interdisciplinary research across soil microbiology, weathering processes and carbon cycling.

About You

You will be educated to doctoral level in soil microbiology, environmental microbiology, soil science, environmental science, biogeoscience or a related discipline, with experience of conducting independent research in laboratory and field settings. You will have expertise in microbiological or molecular approaches relevant to environmental samples, and be confident designing and delivering experiments, interpreting data and preparing work for publication. With strong organisational and problem-solving skills, you will be able to manage multiple research activities to deadline and work effectively both independently and as part of a wider interdisciplinary team. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to engage confidently with collaborators, students and external partners. Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally for fieldwork and collaboration is essential.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here .

The role sits within Cranfield’s Environmental Sustainability Theme, which brings together expertise across soil science and environmental systems to deliver research and education that supports a more resilient and sustainable future through close collaboration with industry, government and international partners.

Our Values and Commitments

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. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families . Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here .

As part of our commitment to support and develop Technical staff across the University, we are a founding signatory of the Science Council's Technician Commitment. Find out more here .

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                   

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Dan Evans, Senior Lecturer in Soil Formation and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, on: View email address on jobs.cranfield.ac.uk