Context: Old-growth boreal forests are recognized both for the distinct biodiversity they harbour and for the large amounts of carbon they store. The concept of “old-growth forest” however encompasses stands that are particularly heterogeneous in terms of history, structure, and composition, which also implies heterogeneity in biodiversity and carbon stocks. The main disturbance agents in boreal forests (timber harvesting and natural wildfires) also have impacts that vary depending on the structure and composition of old-growth stands. In this context, it is difficult to establish conservation targets capable of guaranteeing the maintenance of all habitats associated with old-growth forests, as well as the carbon stocks they have accumulated over centuries. This project will therefore draw on a monitoring network of more than fifty old-growth boreal forest plots in Québec to address the following objectives: 1) assess the correlation between old-growth forest carbon stocks and indirect biodiversity indicators (dendromicrohabitats and deadwood), 2) evaluate the association between bryophyte communities (inventoried as part of an associated PhD project) and soil fungal communities, identified here through metabarcoding, and 3) determine the extent to which forests regenerating from old clearcuts (>50 years) recover carbon and biodiversity characteristics approaching those of old-growth forests. The results of these analyses will be disseminated through scientific publications, conference presentations, and knowledge mobilization activities.

Project start dates: Winter 2027 semester (January – April) or Fall 2027 semester (September – December)

Candidate profile: We are looking for someone passionate about issues related to forest ecosystem ecology, biodiversity, natural disturbances, botany and/or mycology. A Master’s degree in biology, ecology, forest sciences, or a related field is required. Academic record quality and demonstrated research potential will be among the criteria considered in the evaluation of applications. We place equal importance, however, on qualities such as curiosity, creativity, autonomy, and the ability to work as part of a team. Experience in bryology or molecular biology is an asset. Given the remote nature of the study sites, the ability to work in the field in wilderness settings and a valid driver’s licence are required. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview following an initial review of their application.

Stipend: A research stipend of CAD $24,500/year for four years will be awarded to the selected candidate.

Location and supervision: The selected candidate will be based at the Institut de recherche sur les forêts (IRF) at the Rouyn-Noranda campus of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). They will be supervised by Maxence Martin (IRF-UQAT), a specialist in old-growth boreal forests, and Xavier Cavard (IRF-UQAT), an expert in forest carbon.

Application materials: To express your interest, please send a CV, a cover letter, copies of your transcripts (which may be unofficial), and the contact information of two references to Maxence Martin (maxence.martin2@uqat.ca; personnal page) and Xavier Cavard (xavier.cavard2@uqat.ca; personnal page).

The Tremble Mycology Lab (officially starting January 2027) is recruiting two graduate students (to begin Fall 2027), and a postdoctoral researcher (to begin Spring 2027) in the Department of Plant Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The lab studies the function and evolution of fungi in the plant soil microbiome. Using field ecology, common-garden and greenhouse experiments, metatranscriptomics, and population and comparative genomics, we ask how rhizosphere fungi partition function, shape host nutrition and stress tolerance, and how those functional traits evolve across landscapes and time. We work primarily in two systems: the Populus soil microbiome and the ectomycorrhizal porcini mushroom (Boletus edulis), for which we maintain one of the largest genome datasets for any symbiotic fungus.

1) POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (start Spring 2027)

We seek a postdoc to help establish a Populus common garden and lead a deeply sampled metatranscriptomic study of rhizosphere communities across a season. The goal of this project is to characterize how rhizosphere fungal communities partition niches and how their functional programs and host interactions shift through time. The position is funded for three years, with strong possibility of extension. Strong candidates will have a background in statistical community ecology and fungal biology; experience with genomics or bioinformatics is a significant advantage but can be developed on-site. We are also glad to co-develop fellowship applications (e.g., NSF PRFB, USDA NIFA, NIH F32) with postdocs whose interests intersect the lab’s themes.

2) GRADUATE STUDENTS, M.S. and Ph.D. (start Fall 2027)

We are recruiting graduate students in two of the lab’s overarching themes. One focuses on the population genomics of Boletus edulis, asking how these fungi adapt and diverge across continents; this suits someone drawn to evolution, genomics, and computational biology. The other focuses on the soil microbiome of Populus, combining field sampling, common-garden experiments, and gene-expression data to characterize the ecological niches of cryptic soil fungi; this suits someone drawn to community ecology, fieldwork, and plant-microbe interactions. Students join through the Department of Plant Biology and are supported through a mix of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and external fellowships. Strong applicants will have a background in biology, ecology, microbiology, or a related field, and some combination of field, wet-lab, or quantitative skills.

Full descriptions and application instructions: https://tremble-mycology-uiuc.github.io/opportunities.html

Inquiries: Keaton Tremble, keaton.tremble@gmail.com. For grad inquiries please use the subject line “Prospective grad student”; for postdoc inquiries, “Postdoc inquiry.”