We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Postharvest Program and the Genomics and Biotechnology Program (CRAG) teams located in Lleida and Cerdanyola del Vallès, offering a great opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment within our organization. The PhD project will be mainly developed at Fruitcentre (Lleida). However, a specific part of the working plane will be developed at CRAG (Barcelona).

We invite applications from motivated candidates with passion and a strong interest in conducting research and innovation activities on the project titled “Exploring the role of mitochondrial metabolism in fruit-Geotrichum candidum interactions under heat stress”. This project aims to expand our understanding of the role of mitochondrial metabolism in the resilience and infection capacity of Geotrichum candidum during fruit infection under heat stress conditions.

The PhD project will encompass physiological and pathological trials, including molecular and metabolomic analyses. The candidate will receive training in a range of scientific approaches and will progressively develop into an independent researcher in these fields.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• To coordinate and execute the activities related to the analysis of the research line, performing scientific and technical tasks, and taking part in the planning and execution of the experiments to ensure the achievement of milestones of the research projects linked to the PhD project.
• To produce high quality scientific manuscripts that will be part of the PhD thesis and of peer-reviewed scientific publications. This includes leading the draft preparation with the guidance of the PhD supervisors.
• To assist and contribute to the scientific production of the research activities of the research line.
• To manage existing and new-generated data for statistical analysis and the visualization of scientific results.
• To perform literature review, data collection and management.
• To collaborate with the other researchers and technicians in the group and elsewhere working in similar topics.
• To participate in communication and dissemination activities (attending national and international conferences, workshops and transfer activities).
• To supervise bachelor’s degree students doing practices related to the project.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following Master's degree in: Biotechnology, Plant Science, Agronomy, Biology or similar.
• 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.

Desirable requirements

• Experience in biochemistry and/or molecular biology of plants and/or microorganisms.
• To have genuine curiosity about plant physiology and pathology in the context of climate change. 
• Willingness to conduct laboratory and bioinformatic work.
• To have baseline knowledge in statistical analyses, or a strong willingness to learn it. 
• Skills in oral communication and dissemination.
• Proved research skills: experience in laboratory work, literature review, and experimental design and implementation. 
• To have the ability to assimilate and synthesise the scientific literature, and to write well-structured scientific texts.
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Supervisor/s: Dr. Igor Flórez-Sarasa and Dr. Carla Casals
• 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

45 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 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.