Applications are invited for a fully funded 1-year MScR project on the effects of root surface topography on root-soil cohesion, and soil erosion. The project aims to disentangle the effects of soil-binding root secretions and friction-enhancing root surface topography. The successful applicant will develop methods for casting epoxy replicas of roots from different plant species to test whether root shape and surface topography alone has a significant effect on its ability to attach to and retain soil. The project is part of the Cabot MScR in Global Environmental Challenges, and will be so-supervised by Prof Claire Grierson and Dr Ulrike Bauer.