Hbo/MSc student project: microbial N2O emission and CH4 oxidation in agricultural soil

Start: preferably March 2026 · Duration: ≥ 6 months · Location: Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen (Microbial Ecology)

Background

Upland soils play an important role in climate regulation by acting as both sinks and sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄). Compared with natural upland ecosystems, agricultural soils often exhibit higher “leakiness” owing to intensive management practices such as high nitrogen inputs and frequent soil disturbances. These practices can reduce the CH₄ sink capacity while enhancing N₂O emissions. In a previous chapter of our work, we use extensive observational data to identify pathways through which agricultural practices may affect methane oxidation and nitrification. This student project will take an experimental approach to validate and extend those findings, linking management to soil GHG “leakiness” and the responsible microbial communities.

Objectives

This project is embedded in the SoilProS programme (www.soilpros.nioo.knaw.nl/en), which investigates how agricultural management practices influence soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across the Netherlands. 

We have a dataset of 207 agricultural soils spanning contrasting soil types and management regimes. Building on these results, the student will help design and run a controlled soil experiment to test:

• How management-related conditions influence N₂O emissions and CH₄ oxidation, and
• How these functional responses relate to nitrifying and methane-oxidizing microbial communities.

The outcomes will contribute to a more mechanistic understanding of microbial controls on GHG fluxes and may inform strategies for achieving less “leaky” agricultural soils.

Whom we are looking for

We are looking for a motivated HBO or MSc student to join an experiment starting preferably March 2026, for at least 6 months. 

You ideally have:

• A solid background in soil microbiology / microbial ecology,
• Interest in nitrogen cycling and/or methane cycling,
• Basic laboratory experience with soils.

Optional: Fieldwork may be possible depending on project direction and timing.

The supervising team will be formed by Dr. Paul Bodelier as supervisor and Ruchen Tian as daily supervisor (PhD student). The working location will be at the Microbial Ecology department, NIOO-KNAW in Wageningen.   

Training opportunities

In this project, you will gain hands-on experience in experimental soil microbiology and develop skills in designing and executing hypothesis-driven experiments. Depending on your background and interests, training may include:

• soil handling and experimental setup (amendments/treatments, incubations)
• measurement of GHG fluxes (including N₂O and CH₄)
• assays for nitrification potential and methane oxidation potential
• molecular work such as DNA extraction (and potentially downstream analyses)

You will also be involved in shaping the experimental design and interpreting the results in the context of microbial functional interactions.

Contact

If you are interested in this position, please write an email to r.tian@nioo.knaw.nl with a CV and a motivation letter indicating how your background or goals align with the post position. As our experimental design still keeps flexible, you are very welcome to bring your own idea to help shape the project.