A full time postdoc position is available to explore effects of plant activity on soil microbes and decomposition in forest and grassland ecosystems under climate change. It is a joint project between Fudan University (FU), China, and Western Sydney University (WSU), Australia. The researcher will conduct experiments in state-of-the-art facilities of climate change at WSU, such as EucFACE and Whole Tree Chambers (http://www.westernsydney.edu.au/hie/facilities). The overall goal of the project is to understand microbial mechanisms governing soil carbon turnover and stability in a changing world. The successful candidate should be passionate about understanding ecosystem functions and using that knowledge to better understand our future environment. S/he will be responsible for preparing and conducting analyses of roots, soils, microbial carbon use efficiency, microbial communities and activities, soil respiration. S/he will be also responsible for synthesizing existing data and producing manuscripts for the peer-reviewed literature.

This full time position is 2 years with a competitive salary plus benefits. S/he will be mainly based at the FU in Shanghai, and travel to Sydney, Australia, for field experiments. Most sample analyses and manuscript preparation will be done at the FU, which can offer 50% discount for hiring an apartment (one or two bedrooms) in the campus. We will offer travel allowance to Sydney. Preference will be given to applicants with peer-reviewed publications related to ecosystem ecology, stable isotope ecology and/or soil microbiology. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in ecosystem ecology, microbiology, environmental biology or a related field. The following application materials should be emailed to both Drs. Ming Nie (mnie@fudan.edu.cn) and Elise Pendall (e.pendall@westernsydney.edu.au), with the email subject of “Postdoc Position Application”: (1) Cover letter describing general research interests, (2) CV, (3) One representative manuscript (preferably first authored and published), and (4) List of 3 references with contact information. Application materials received by June 30 will be given full consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.