Research Fellow in Plant and Soil Microbiology
| Posting date: | 23 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £41,064 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 25 March 2026 |
| Location: | Southampton, Hampshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | University of Southampton |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 3350226BJ |
Summary
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton. The School hosts a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community addressing global challenges at the interface of biodiversity, agriculture, and society. You will work on a Leverhulme Trust–funded project investigating the ecological and socio-economic importance of bat guano in Mexico. The project integrates bat ecology, cave ecosystems, microbiology, plant biology, and social science to understand how this under-recognised natural resource supports agriculture and rural livelihoods, and how it can be managed sustainably.
The role
The post is funded by the Leverhulme Trust as part of the project “Quantifying the socio-economic consequences of losing bat guano services”, awarded to Dr. Veronica Zamora-Gutierrez, Dr. William L. King, and Dr. Kelvin Peh, with lead-supervision by Dr. King. The position is fixed for 36 months (3 years).
The postholder will lead research on assessing the impacts of bat guano on crop growth and physiology, soil health, and plant and soil microbiology. This will include performing fertilisation experiments, measuring plant traits, including above-ground and below-ground, and the collection and analysis of plant and soil microbiomes. The role involves extended fieldwork in Mexico and close collaboration with UK- and Mexico-based partners, conservation organisations, and government agencies. You will contribute to high-quality academic publications, policy-relevant outputs, and stakeholder engagement activities.
About you
You will hold a completed PhD in environmental microbiology, microbiome science, environmental science, or a related discipline. You will have demonstratable experience in field-based research, microbiology (field and laboratory), bioinformatics (e.g. metagenomics and high-performance computing), and handling plants and soil, particularly roots (i.e. rhizosphere collection and root traits). You will have a strong interest in environmental microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, and agriculture. You will be comfortable working independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team and engaging with non-academic stakeholders.
You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to contribute to peer-reviewed publications and project reports. Spanish language skills are not essential but would be helpful. You should be willing and able to undertake extended international fieldwork and work across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.
You will be based at the University of Southampton’s Highfield Campus, in a dynamic and well-connected coastal city.
What we can offer you
As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work.
With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.
If you wish to discuss the role in more detail, please email Dr. William L King (W.L.King@soton.ac.uk).
Working at the University of Southampton:
Check out the staff benefits and why you should join us at The University of Southampton.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.
Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.
The role
The post is funded by the Leverhulme Trust as part of the project “Quantifying the socio-economic consequences of losing bat guano services”, awarded to Dr. Veronica Zamora-Gutierrez, Dr. William L. King, and Dr. Kelvin Peh, with lead-supervision by Dr. King. The position is fixed for 36 months (3 years).
The postholder will lead research on assessing the impacts of bat guano on crop growth and physiology, soil health, and plant and soil microbiology. This will include performing fertilisation experiments, measuring plant traits, including above-ground and below-ground, and the collection and analysis of plant and soil microbiomes. The role involves extended fieldwork in Mexico and close collaboration with UK- and Mexico-based partners, conservation organisations, and government agencies. You will contribute to high-quality academic publications, policy-relevant outputs, and stakeholder engagement activities.
About you
You will hold a completed PhD in environmental microbiology, microbiome science, environmental science, or a related discipline. You will have demonstratable experience in field-based research, microbiology (field and laboratory), bioinformatics (e.g. metagenomics and high-performance computing), and handling plants and soil, particularly roots (i.e. rhizosphere collection and root traits). You will have a strong interest in environmental microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, and agriculture. You will be comfortable working independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team and engaging with non-academic stakeholders.
You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to contribute to peer-reviewed publications and project reports. Spanish language skills are not essential but would be helpful. You should be willing and able to undertake extended international fieldwork and work across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.
You will be based at the University of Southampton’s Highfield Campus, in a dynamic and well-connected coastal city.
What we can offer you
As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work.
With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.
If you wish to discuss the role in more detail, please email Dr. William L King (W.L.King@soton.ac.uk).
Working at the University of Southampton:
Check out the staff benefits and why you should join us at The University of Southampton.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.
Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.
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