We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Fruit Production Program team located in Tarragona, 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 on the project “Climate-resilient crops: Hazelnut crop adapted to climate change (ADAPTEX)”. The main aim of the PhD research project is to address key challenges affecting hazelnut cultivation under climate change conditions, using a combination of agronomic, physiological, and technological approaches. The research will focus on the evaluation of bloom phenology and pollinator effectiveness, the development of adaptive pollination strategies, and the mitigation of heat stress during kernel filling phase. Additionally, the study will assess the long-term viability of hazelnut cultivation through climate simulation experiments and the integration of advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence models, to predict risk scenarios and identify alternative growing areas in Catalonia.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Design and implement experiments related to blooming, pollination, and climate adaptation strategies.
• Collaboration with the other members of the research group on the coordination and planification of experiments and data management.
• Manage and organize samples collected during the experimental phases.
• Maintain updated records and documentation of all experimental activities related to the PhD project.
• Process experimental data and perform statistical analysis of results.
• Carry out literature reviews and contribute to the writing of scientific articles, technical reports, and dissemination materials.
• Present research findings at national and international scientific conferences.
• Participate in dissemination and technical conferences aimed at farmers and stakeholders.
• Prepare and write the doctoral thesis manuscript.
• Defend the doctoral thesis.

These tasks and responsibilities are designed to address the key objectives outlined in the PhD work plan:
   1. Evaluation of pollinators and bloom phenology
     • Assessment of flowering behavior of hazelnut cultivars most planted in Catalunya and its pollinators in different climatic zones.
     • Identification and evaluation of alternative pollinators.
     • Analysis of alternative pollinators effectiveness and impact on nut yield.
   2. Pollination strategies and climate adaptation
     • Testing artificial pollen application to enhance fruit set.
     • Development of a predictive pollination model based on climate data.
   3. Mitigation of heat stress during nut filling
     • Evaluation of kaolin-based sun protectants to reduce canopy temperature.
     • Testing shade netting to improve microclimatic conditions.
     • Assessment of physiological, productive, and quality parameters.
   4. Impact of climate change on hazelnut viability
     • Use of experimental climate chambers to simulate future conditions.
     • Monitoring key physiological responses affecting productivity.
   5. Integration of digital technologies
     • Developing AI models to predict mismatch of pollination conditions.
     • Developing AI models using results from climatic chambers to search alternative growing areas in Catalonia for hazelnut.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees: Agronomy, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or related fields.

         a) A Master’s in Agronomy, Plant production, Plant physiology, Plant Biology, Climatology, Precision Agriculture applied to nut crops, 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.
• Driving license (B) required for fieldwork and travel to experimental sites.
• Proficiency in English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.

Desirable requirements

• Experience in hazelnut or nut crops in general.
• Interest in pollination biology, plant-environment interactions, and climate adaptation (preferably nut crops).
• Experience in phenological, physiological, or agronomic fieldwork with tree crops.
• Familiarity with Mediterranean crops, especially hazelnut or other nut trees.
• Willingness to conduct field, laboratory, and data processing work.
• Licensed drone operator for agricultural data collection.
• Knowledge of multivariate statistics and use of statistical software (e.g., R, JMP, Xlstat, etc.).
• Experience or knowledge in environmental or crop modeling.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and engage in collaborative research.
• Interest in scientific communication and dissemination to farmers and stakeholders.
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Supervisor/s: Dr. Leontina Lipan and Dr. Agustí Romero
• Terms of appointment: 4 years
• Contract: The financial remuneration for the PhD Candidate contract will be €1,363.10/gross per month (19,083.40./gross per annum) and for the first and second years. For this third year, it will be €1,460.46/gross per month (€20,446.44/gross per annum) and for the fourth year it will be €1,825.58/gross per month (€25,558.12/gross per annum) which will be subject to the corresponding withholdings, pursuant to prevailing regulations, and to the collective employment agreement of IRTA. IRTA will also pay the fees of the doctoral school when receiving the enrolment. (1)
• 37.5 hour workweek, with Friday afternoons off
• Intensive work schedule from 15/06 to 15/09
• 22 vacation days
• 3 days of family & work conciliation
• 45 hours of personal days
• Flexible Schedule for a good work-life balance.
• Continuous training and professional growth opportunities.

Please know that if you are the chosen candidate and you are from a country which does not belong to the UE, IRTA’s People Department will support you to get the residence and working permits.

Instructions to Apply

If you wish to be considered for this position and believe you meet the requirements, please send your CV and motivation letter.

Equal treatment and opportunities are guaranteed for all candidates in the selection process, avoiding any stereotypes, attitudes, or obstacles based on gender, origin, age, ideology, or other potentially discriminatory conditions. Furthermore, commitments to the inclusion of vulnerable groups are considered, with priority given in the first round to disabled candidates.

Timings in the Recruitment Process

33 natural days: Publication and diffusion of the job advertisement on IRTA’s website and/or social media.

5 following working days: Distribution of the pre-selected CVs to the Recruitment Committee for their evaluation.

20 following working days: Interview and/or tests to the most suitable candidates based on the job position.

Start of contract: Fourth trimestre of January 2025 (approximately)

⁽¹⁾ The financial remuneration of the PhD Candidate contract may not be less than 56% of the salary established for the category of Research Collaborator F of the Collective Agreement of the IRTA during the first two years, 60% in the third year and 75% in the fourth.