Evaluation of functional synthetic microbial communities for enhanced soil carbon-sequestration in native reforestation
Lincoln University has an exciting opportunity for a Research Masters student to undertake research on ‘Evaluation of functional synthetic microbial communities for enhanced soil carbon-sequestration'
Funded by the MBIE Smart Idea fund, this project, “Functional synthetic microbial communities for enhanced soil carbon-sequestration in native reforestation’, will play an important role in providing sustainable practices for soil health management. Estimates suggest a >70% reduction in NZ native ngahere from the pre-human state. Much of this cleared land is unsuitable for modern intensive agriculture due to a variety of factors, including accessibility, steep topography, water and nutrient availability. Reforestation represents a viable alternative use that has been identified as a significant contributor to NZ achieving its climate change mitigation goals, with >1.2 M ha of marginal land identified as suitable for reforestation and 68% of Māori freehold land categorised as marginal.
This Master of Science project will focus on maximising the benefits of reforestation efforts through supporting seedling growth and improving soil health.
The student will be based at Lincoln University and will work closely with leading scientists from Lincoln Agritech and BSI to assemble microbial SynComs with functionalities to support seedlings establishment and nutrient cycling in marginal quality soils.
Value:
The stipend for this M. Science will be NZ$22,000 per annum for 2 years, and your annual tuition fees will also be paid for.
Closing date:
Thursday, 30 April 2026
Selection criteria:
- A Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biology, environmental science, or a related field
- Experience with microbial culturing and basic microbiology techniques required
- Good laboratory skills and attention to details
- Patience and experimental persistence
- Ability to write scientific reports in clear academic English
Availability:
The applicant must have New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency.
Further information and how to apply:
For further information specifically about the role, please contact Dr Andriy Podolyan (andriy.podolyan@lincoln.ac.nz). Please email your CV, along with a cover letter, to Dr Andriy Podolyan.
For further information about the project see the MBIE website.
Please note that this degree is a two-year degree. You are expected to commence your study in Semester 2 (13 July 2026).
Read more information on the structure of the Master of Science (Research)