We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Marine and Continental Waters and Biosystems sustainability programs teams located in La Ràpita and Caldes de Montbui, 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 study climate change mitigation and adaptation in agricultural systems. The PhD student will conduct his/her project within the frame of the BIORICE project, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain, within the call 2024 (PID2024-162814OR-I00). The BIORICE project aims at evaluating the impact of biochar, as well as its interactions with other organic amendments such as rice straw and organic manure, on the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in rice fields. Additionally, the project seeks to understand the role of soil microbiota in mediating these effects. The project is based on a multidisciplinary approach—integrating carbon cycling, advanced molecular microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and agronomy—and will be conducted at three experimental scales: microcosms, mesocosms, and field experiments, involving the active participation of the candidates.

The PhD student will be initially based at the IRTA Torre Marimon (Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona) centre for the first 18 months to conduct microcosm experiments and will then continue the research period at IRTA la Ràpita (Tarragona). Throughout the predoctoral stage, short research stays at both centres may be required to ensure continuity and integration of the work and also research centres abroad IRTA involved in the project.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Field measurements of soil and GHG emissions.
• Microcosm experiments for GHG mitigation and enhancement of methanotrophy activities with rice paddy soils from Ebro Delta.
• Lab measurements of soil C and soil aggregates and microbial community assessments and bioinformatics.
• To perform literature review, data collection and management, involving statistical analysis including multivariate statititical methods.
• To write scientific articles and results dissemination in national and international conferences.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees:
  a) A master’s degree in biology, Ecology, Agroecology, Agricultural engineers or similar
  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.
• Previous experience in molecular biology, microbial ecology, bioinformatics and agronomy is valued.
• Not to have a previous PhD degree.
• Proficiency in English.
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• 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.

Desirable requirements

• Familiarity with statistical programming languages (e.g., R / RStudio and/or Python) and statistical methods will be valued.
• Familiarity in Bioinformatic tools / software will be valued.
• Capacity to work under (sometimes) hard field conditions (heat and humidity).
• Teamwork capacity
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Supervisor/s: Dr. Marc Viñas and Dr. Maite Martínez Eixarch
• Terms of appointment: 4 years
• Contract: The financial remuneration for the PhD Candidate contract will be € 1.414,29/gross per month (€ 19.800/gross per annum) for the first year. From the second to the fourth year, it will be € 1.716,07/gross per month (€ 24.025/gross per annum). Upon termination of the contract, the corresponding compensation will be paid. IRTA will also pay the fees of the doctoral school when receiving the enrollment. (1) [The financial remuneration indicated is based on the figures from the previous call. This information will be updated accordingly once the official resolution of the current call is published.]
• 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

30 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: Second half 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.

El contrato es parte de la ayuda PID2024-162814OR-I00, financiado por
MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y por el FSE+.