Organisation/Company Universidad Politecnica de Cartagena Research Field Agricultural sciences » Agricultural products Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 30 Apr *********:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Oct **** Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Reference Number HORIZON-MSCA-****-COFUND-***** Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? NoWe are seeking innovative research proposals that aim to advance understanding of the role and potential of cold plasma-based approaches within postharvest systems for fresh produce.Keep in mind that supervisors are not allowed to get involved in the project proposal preparation.ContextFood losses and waste in fruits and vegetables account for a substantial proportion of total production, much of it linked to microbial spoilage and inadequate postharvest handling. Fresh produce remains metabolically active after harvest and is highly sensitive not only to microbial contamination and environmental conditions such as temperature, relative humidity and gas composition, but also to the degradation of nutritional and functional compounds that contribute to quality and health value.In response to increasing restrictions on chemical-based sanitizers and the limitations of thermal treatments for fresh produce, there is growing interest in non-thermal, residue-free postharvest technologies. Within this context, cold plasma (a non-thermal, partially ionized gas that can be applied in gaseous or aqueous phases) has emerged as a promising area of research in postharvest science. Its potential relevance spans microbial safety, postharvest quality and bioactive compound stability, although its broader implications within horticultural supply chains remain insufficiently understood.The problem to addressDe