Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Peat Paludiculture Biogeochemistry and Ecology

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a distinctive, unique institution, rooted in the Liverpool City Region and with a global presence. Our students and staff, past, present, and future, are the beating heart of our city and can be found in every corner of every industry and community. We couldn’t exist anywhere else and have shaped the city in which we belong. Working with the people of Liverpool to improve lives and support communities is at the heart of why we were founded and why we exist today.

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate for a full-time fixed term contract for 2 years to undertake applied research on the environmental sustainability of high water-table agriculture.

This work will support the delivery of the UK Innovate funded Farming Innovation Project (FIP): ‘System innovation to transform underperforming peatlands into profitable, carbon sequestering farmland’. This industry-led project focuses on the development and assessment of Typha-based paludiculture in order to deliver more sustainable, commercially viable agriculture and agricultural products (‘BioPuff®’) from high-water peatland farming. LJMU’s Role is primarily focused on assessing the environmental and ecological sustainability credentials of the agricultural systems associated with this project.

This exciting and hugely impactful project will develop one of the largest UK paludiculture sites, developing knowledge at a new scale which will have implications both commercially and for policy development. The role will be weighted strongly in three main fields: 1) peat biogeochemistry – specifically developing and undertaking a monitoring scheme and reporting of GHG emissions, soil and water physiochemistry and fluvial emissions for verification on environmental credentials and Life Cycle Assessments and 2) biodiversity/ecological surveys of the trial area and 3) assessing and reporting on the efficacy of the automated monitoring network and site establishment approaches.

You will lead elements in the coordination of project goals and collaborate with project partners (both NGO and commercial). You will (in collaboration with the project partners) help design and develop coordinated  approaches to the data collection and design the monitoring to support the reporting programme/timeline.  Lab work, data analysis and the drafting/ submission of peer-reviewed publications, alongside project reports aligning with deliverables will also be undertaken. Administrative tasks linked to purchasing, time sheet reporting and aiding in research assistant management/supervision will also be required. This is a strongly industry-led project and the outputs of which include a strong commercial component and so the postholder will be expected to undertake wider engagement with the larger project and partners and the reporting requirements will reflect this commercial expectation. 

You will also form part of both a wider peat research team (other PDRAs and PhDs) led by Professor Evers at LJMU but also collaborate more widely with both the project team and parallel projects the LJMU team is working on linked to sustainable management of UK lowland peat agricultural land. As such, being a strong team player and adaptable to a collaborative approach, as well as a strong independent worker will be critical to the success of this post.

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Stephanie Evers at S.L.Evers@ljmu.ac.uk

In return, we offer an excellent benefits package including generous annual leave entitlement, pension scheme, induction and development support as well as family-friendly policies.

This is an exciting time to join the university as we deliver the LJMU Strategy 2030 and its vision of LJMU as an inclusive civic university transforming lives and futures, by placing students at the heart of everything we do.

If you feel that this is the role you have been looking for and your skills and experience can make a real difference at LJMU, we look forward to hearing from you.

LJMU values diversity and provides a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can fulfil their potential.

Please note all of our vacancies will be closed to applications at midnight on the advertised closing date, unless otherwise stated.

LJMU are committed to adhering to the Principles set out in the Researcher Development Concordat; in line with this all fixed-term researchers will be supported to complete 10 days professional development activities per year (pro-rata).