Organisation/Company IRTA Department Human Resources Research Field Biological sciences » Other Environmental science » Ecology Environmental science » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 5 Sep 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 16 Oct 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
We are currently seeking a PhD Candidateto join our Sustainability in BiosystemsProgramteam located in Cabrils, offering a great opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment within our organization.
We invite applications from motivated candidates with passion and a strong interest in conducting research and innovation activities onplant and soil ecology in the ERC-funded project ‘WILD-ROOTS’.
The primary objective of the WILD-ROOTS project is to discover how roots and the rhizosphere have been affected by crop domestication, in order to increase the drought resistance of agroecosystems. Our research combines approaches from soil ecology, plant ecophysiology, microbiology and metabolomics.
The PhD student will oversee experiments investigating how domestication has affected drought tolerance of crops, and the role of root exudation, belowground VOCs and the rhizosphere in resisting water stress.
* To collaborate with the design, set-up, and running of large-scale experiments (in greenhouse, field and lab).
* To measure and analyse plant and soil parameters, relating to plant performance, root physiology (including root exudation) and plasticity, the soil and rhizosphere microbial community, and soil volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
* Manage datasets, perform advanced statistical analysis (including multivariate analysis) and interpret results.
* Literature review and writing of scientific articles for publication in international peer-reviewed journals.
* Collaborate with other IRTA researchers, as well as other external academic and industrial partners active in the measurement of plant-soil interactions and sustainable agriculture.
* Candidates must hold one of the following degrees:
a) A Master’s in Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Agronomy or similar; or
b) To be in a position to access a doctoral programme according to the requirements of Catalan universities, i.e. accrediting between 60 and 120 ECTS credits at the official university master's degree level or equivalent.
* Not to have a previous PhD degree.
* Candidates who have been chosen for an interview with the Selection Committee, should bring or send –for the interview- a certified copy of the degree and/or master, as well as the academic record showing the marks of all subjects studied.
* Proficiency in English.
* Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
Specific Requirements
* Strong quantitative and data-handling skills.
* Experience measuring plant and soil traits in experiments or in the field.
* Skills in lab techniques related to molecular or microbial ecology.
* Knowledge of plant-soil interactions, crop domestication and/or agroecosystems.
* Familiarity using the R statistical package.
* Robust analytical and organisational skills.
* Good communication skills and ability to work as a part of a team.
* Catalan and Spanish are valued.
Languages ENGLISH Level Good
Research Field Biological sciences » OtherEnvironmental science » OtherEnvironmental science » Ecology Years of Research Experience 1 - 4
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