Unveiling the natural sulphur potential of biological nitrogen fixation in faba bean

This PhD aims to understand the potential nature of sulphur on biological nitrogen fixation in faba beans. Sulphur is an essential mineral nutrient for plant growth and development; important for primary and specialized plant metabolites that are crucial for biotic and abiotic interactions. Sulphur also plays a crucial role in biological nitrogen fixation, a natural process belonging to legumes that symbiosis with bacteria through root nodules to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Root nodules have a high demand for sulphur. In nodulated legumes, biological nitrogen fixation is more sensitive to sulphur deficiency than nitrate uptake. However, the natural sources of gypsum-mine-derived sulphur-containing by-product’s effect on plant growth, development and biological nitrogen fixation is largely unexplored. This 3.5-year project will unveil the functional relationship between sulphur nutrition and biological nitrogen fixation in faba beans using 15N stable isotopes.

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training, including technical, personal, and professional skills. All researchers at the University of Lincoln are part of the Doctoral College and College of Health and Science’s wider postgraduate community, which provides support with high-quality training and career development opportunities.

A Master’s (honours) degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum mark of 60% in the project element (or equivalent), working knowledge in stable isotopes, and the potential to engage in innovative research, and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this PhD position, please send your CV and a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project to Dr Ravi Valluru (rvalluru@lincoln.ac.uk).