PhD student position: Hacking the soil microbiome

In this project we will investigate novel ways of improving the effectiveness of next generation bio-fertilizers – including using naturally occurring mutualistic viruses (temperate phages) which associate with rhizobia to enhance the competitiveness of inoculant strains. Along side these experimental approaches we will explore the societal attractiveness and usefulness of inoculant technologies and practices. Finally, we will design and conduct experiments with growers to understand how they may be able to observe, intervene in, and improve their soil microbiomes through do-it-yourself approaches. Open to students worldwide.