We are seeking an enthusiastic and talented student to conduct PhD research on a critical global issue to further our understanding of how plant-associated mycorrhizal fungi are involved in the movement or immobilisation of radionuclides, with potential for bioremediation applications.
Background
Radionuclides occur at elevated levels in the environment because of contamination from the nuclear weapons or power industries, or as a consequence of natural geological processes. Nuclear fallout from accidents such as Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukashima and the potential for significant human harm, have motivated research into understanding the processes that govern the movement or sequestration of radionuclides in the environment. Fungi are likely to be key players in radionuclide distribution in soils, because of the large surface area of their hyphal networks that can both absorb and adsorb radioactive elements1. Mycorrhizal fungi, which form mutualistic associations with the roots of most terrestrial plants, also have the potential to act as a direct conduit of radionuclide transfer between the soil environment and above-ground vegetation. Thus, there has been considerable research into the role of fungi as potential accumulators or movers of radionuclides.
Nevertheless, we still lack basic knowledge on how fungal species identity or environmental gradients alter the uptake and transfer of radionuclides, not how inter-specific interactions with other key soil microbiota will affect radionuclide movement.
Aims and Objectives
The primary aims of this project are to 1) Test how the identity, lineage and morphological characteristics of different ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal species alters their uptake of radionuclides including 238U, 232Thand 226Ra in pure culture and when in association with a plant 2) How does the transfer factor of radionuclides from ECM fungi into plants change over key environmental gradients, focussing on moisture and nutrient (N/P) availability and 3) how do shifts in the fungal community alter the quantity of radionuclides that are transferred to below-ground food-webs. Outcomes from this work will improve our understanding of the role of these symbionts in moving or sequestering radionuclides in forest ecosystems, potentially providing data to inform bioremediation strategies in contaminated environments.
Training
The work will be carried out predominantly in the lab using a mixture of pure culture and mesocosm experiments. The student will receive comprehensive training in microbiological and molecular techniques, autoradiography, ICP and soil nutrient analyses. The student would be a part of the Soil and Ecosystem Ecology lab, a vibrant and supportive group of three PIs plus PhDs, post-docs and technicians working on diverse aspects of plant-soil interactions and providing numerous opportunities for collaborative work, expanding the student’s skillset.
Before you apply: We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply.
How to apply: To be considered for this project you’ll need complete a formal application through our online application portal. This link should directly open an application for FSE Bicentenary PhD.
When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your proposed supervisor/s, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You also need to provide a Personal Statement describing the motivation to apply to the project and your CV. Your application cannot be processed without all of the required documents, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines where applications are incomplete.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and are at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).
Eligibility: Applicants are expected to hold (or about to obtain) a minimum upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Ecology or Microbiology. Research experience in plant-soil interactions is desirable.
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