Farming for Resilience

Background

Agricultural land use and management practices can lead to fundamental changes in ecosystem properties that alter soil organic carbon storage and stability. Understanding the impacts of agriculture on soil organic carbon composition and cycling is essential to develop sustainable practices that support agricultural productivity, whilst protecting the long-term storage and stability of soil carbon. Long-term fertiliser inputs to farm systems and associated changes in soil fertility status are of particular interest. However, our current knowledge of how management practices impact soil organic carbon composition and cycling in grasslands is restricted.

Project Aims

This project aims to identify soil fertility management factors that influence the long-term accumulation and composition of soil carbon in grazed grasslands in New Zealand.

We aim to investigate;

1. Soil organic C and N composition in hill soils of different long-term fertiliser management.
2. Quantify the effects of long-term fertiliser applications on pasture biomass and species related to soil organic carbon.
3. Investigate the relationships between soil organic C and N components and measures of microbial activities.

Project Scope

This PhD will investigate the impacts of long-term agricultural management strategies on soil organic carbon and nitrogen composition and storage in grassland soils. This will contribute to the wider goal of identifying factors that promote or enhance soil carbon stabilisation across agricultural landscapes. You will use a range of methodologies to quantify the differences in soil organic carbon, including measurements of soil carbon fractions, the chemical composition of soil carbon, and nitrogen. Significant fieldwork for this PhD will be conducted on a long-term grassland experiment in sheep and beef farm hill country in the North Island of New Zealand. The PhD candidate will be located at Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in biochemistry, microbiology, and/or ecology (essential),
• Experience with data and statistical analysis in R (desired),
• Evidence of strong communication skills, particularly in written English (essential),
• Experience or interest in engaging with local landowners and Māori communities (desired).

Applicants must:

• Have an MSc or BSc Honours, in a relevant Biogeochemistry, microbiology, or an appropriate related discipline.
• Be eligible for admission to the PhD programme at Lincoln University.
• Be able to commence study no later than 1 September 2026.
• Have a full driver’s licence and be able to conduct field work safely in remote locations.

Funding

This three-year scholarship includes a stipend of NZD$35,000 per year tax-free, full university fees and full research costs.

How to Apply

To apply, please send the following as a single PDF document to Professor Jim Moir:

• A cover letter that states
  • Why you are interested in continuing your studies to obtain a PhD;
  • What aspects of this particular PhD attracted you; and
  • How your qualifications and experience would map into the proposed research.
• A Curriculum Vitae that includes contact details for at least two academic references

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will close once a suitable candidate is identified or by Friday 5th June 2026.

Preferred candidates will then need to apply to study at Lincoln University and meet the institutional criteria for entry prior to the scholarship being confirmed.

Email

[email protected]

Please include the subject line: Application for PhD in Soil Carbon composition in grazed grasslands.