The role of soil biodiversity in belowground forest function

Grad Student Position Details

Project Title
The role of soil biodiversity in belowground forest function

Degree Program
PhD

Supervisor
Justine Karst and Sylvie Quideau

Professorial Rank
associate professor/ professor

Department
Renewable Resources

Project Start Date
07/01/2025

Project Description

We have established a nationwide network of experimental sites to compare key soil types under different tree species representative of Canadian managed forests. Using this network, we will measure the decadal sensitivity of soil carbon to environmental shifts including global change, harvesting and fire. As part of this larger study, Sylvie Quideau and I are recruiting a PhD student to start summer/fall 2025 to examine linkages between soil carbon persistence and soil biodiversity. The co-supervised candidate will be given freedom to develop their ideas on the role soil fungi play in these forests. This research is funded by NSERC. Partner organizations include federal and provincial governments. A four-year stipend ($28,000 per year) will be provided and there are opportunities for TAing in the department.

Please send your CV and a one-page cover letter explaining your interest in the position to Justine Karst karst@ualberta.ca by October 31, 2024. Feel free to inquire about the position beforehand to see if it’s right for you.

Keywords
forest, fungi, microbes, soil carbon, diversity

Contact Email
karst@ualberta.ca

Other contact information

Project Website

Stipend Amount/year
$ 28,000.00