PhD Candidate for a project about Digital Twin for Apple Tree Growth Dynamics under Climate Cha[...]

European Commission; España; Presencial; EUR 25.000 - 35.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading organization in Spain is seeking a PhD Candidate to join its Fruit Growing Program. This role offers the opportunity to conduct innovative research in artificial intelligence and data science applied to agriculture. The candidate will work on the AGROLABS project, focusing on developing a Digital Twin tool to enhance agricultural decision-making. Ideal candidates will have relevant degrees and programming skills, alongside a passion for research and agriculture.

Formación

• Candidates must hold a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in relevant fields.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python) and machine learning libraries is valued.
• Good teamwork skills and willingness to conduct fieldwork.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct research in AI and data science applied to agriculture.
• Contribute to the Digital Twin development for apple orchards.
• Adaptive refinement of models for tree growth under varying environments.

Conocimientos

Programming skills

Data Analysis

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

Statistical data analysis

Educación

Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, or related fields

Degree in Engineering or Life Sciences with motivation to learn

Herramientas

Python

Scikit-learn

Pytorch

TensorFlow

AquaCrop

Malusim

APSIM

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company IRTA Department Human Resources Research Field Engineering » Computer engineering Technology » Biotechnology Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 17 Aug 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 Fruit GrowingProgramand Efficient Use of Water in Agriculture Programteam located in Lleida, 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 innovationin artificial intelligence and data science applied to agriculture, particularly in areas such as plant modelling, 3D computer vision, and digital twin development. The applicant will contribute to the AGROLABS Digitals IRTA project, specifically to the PomaTwin tool, which aims to develop a Digital Twin of apple orchards to support agricultural decision-making.

Depending on the candidate’s background and motivational interests, the PhD research can be oriented either toward:

• the development, validation, and adaptive refinement of models to estimate carbohydrate balance and its distribution across tree structures under different environmental conditions, and/or
• the modelling of the 3D dynamics of apple tree growth using a combination of 3D sensors, computer vision, and physiological modelling under different environmental conditions (TreeGrowthTwin project).
• Candidates must hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in one of the following fields:
• Computer Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Telecommunications, Computer Vision, Bioinformatics or equivalent;
• Alternatively:
  • A degree in another field of Engineering, or a degree in the Life Sciences field (e.g., Agricultural Science, Biology, Biotechnology,...). In this case, candidates must demonstrate a motivation and a strong willingness to learn and a proactive attitude toward new technologies and programming.
• 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.
• Proficiency in English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• Willingness to conduct agronomic and field work.

Specific Requirements

• Programming skills in a suitable language (e.g., Pyhton) and experience in specialized libraries for Data Analysis, Machine Learning and Deep Learning (Scikit-learn, Pytorch, TensorFlow or equivalent) will be valued.
• Knowledge in plant growth modelling and agro-environmental simulations tools (AquaCrop, Malusim, APSIM, ...) will be valued.
• Good statistical data analysis skills.
• Dissemination skills: presentation/communication skills, and technical writing.
• Good written and oral English skills.
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.
• Driving license.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Technology » BiotechnologyEngineering » Computer engineeringOther Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute IRTA- Fruitcentre Country Spain State/Province Lleida City Lleida Postal Code 25194 Street C/Teresa Rodrigo Anoro, s/n Parc Agrobiotech Lleida