Lead SPAC Water Modelling for Woody Crops

IRTA; Lérida; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent position or tenure-track

Travel and training opportunities

Competitive research funding potential

Job summary

IRTA seeks a Researcher in SPAC water modelling to lead crop physiological modelling projects in Lleida (Fruitcentre). You will collaborate with top researchers to study water and carbon fluxes in woody crops and translate findings into efficient irrigation strategies and decision-support tools.

The role requires a PhD in crop physiology or modelling, strong data analysis skills, and experience with field experiments and model calibration. Travel and driving license are expected.

Qualifications

• PhD on modelling plant water relations, carbon partitioning, gas exchange parameters, and yield formation in horticultural or woody perennial crops.
• Proven experience in calibration and evaluation of crop models for woody crops (APSIM, CropSyst or similar).
• Proven scientific output in physiological crop modelling, addressing water use, carbon balance, or productivity under varying irrigation and climate scenarios.
• Experience integrating modelling with field or controlled-environment data, preferably in orchards or perennial systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on crop physiological models focusing on water relations and carbon allocation in woody crops.
• Design and execute physiological and eco-physiological experiments with field/lab measurements for model calibration and validation.
• Support scientific output through publications, model developments, datasets, and methodological advancements.
• Lead fundraising efforts; prepare proposals and reports for competitive public calls and private-sector collaborations.
• Identify new opportunities for cutting-edge research in physiological crop modelling and integrate knowledge into decision-support tools.
• Collaborate within IRTA and with external partners including irrigation districts and private companies.
• Foster collaboration with plant physiology, climate adaptation, modelling, and sustainable crop management teams.

Skills

Python/R/Matlab

Crop modelling

Data analysis

Collaboration

Scientific writing

Problem solving

Public speaking

Education

PhD in crop modelling / eco-physiology

Tools

APSIM/CropSyst or similar

Soil-plant-atmosphere modelling tools

Job description

IRTA seeks a Researcher in SPAC water modelling to lead crop physiological modelling projects in Lleida (Fruitcentre). You will collaborate with top researchers to study water and carbon fluxes in woody crops and translate findings into efficient irrigation strategies and decision-support tools.

The role requires a PhD in crop physiology or modelling, strong data analysis skills, and experience with field experiments and model calibration. Travel and driving license are expected.