PhD Candidate in Biochar Use for Manure Management and Biogas Optimization

IRTA; España; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contract: 4 years

Salary paid in 14 payments

Flexible schedule

Family & work conciliation

Job summary

IRTA is seeking a PhD Candidate for the Sustainability in Biosystems Program in Caldes de Montbui, Spain. You will explore biochar applications to optimize manure management and biogas, with duties spanning experimental work, data analysis, and dissemination of results.

The role involves multidisciplinary collaboration, doctoral programme access, and potential publication in scientific papers as part of the project requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or related degree in biological sciences with a Master’s in a related field.
• Access to doctoral programme per Catalan university requirements.
• English proficiency and multidisciplinary teamwork are essential.

Responsibilities

• Characterize biochar and performance by feedstock and production.
• Optimize anaerobic digestion of pig slurry with biochar additive.
• Test biochar for biogas upgrading and adsorption mechanisms.
• Operate a low-cost submergible microbial electrolysis cell for NH3 recovery.
• Use electrochemical techniques and microbiological analyses.
• Literature review, data collection and statistical analysis.
• Assist in congress presentations and dissemination activities.
• Publish scientific papers and collaborate on project development.

Skills

English proficiency

Teamwork

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's in Biological Systems Engineering or Biology

Master’s in Environmental Engineering/Environmental Sciences/Biology

Tools

PCR/qPCR equipment

Biochar characterization tools

Job description

Organisation/Company IRTA Department Human Resources Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 22 Nov 2026 - 23:46 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 14 Dec 2026 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 Candidate to join our Sustainability in Biosystems Program team located in 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 project: “Exploring the application of biochar to improve manure management through biogas optimization, emission abatement and resource recovery”. This project aims to explore different applications of biochar in the manure management value chain aiming to optimize manure anaerobic digestion, biogas upgrading, emission abatement (greenhouse gases and NH3), as well as testing the nutrient-rich biochar produced as soil amendment.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Characterize different biochar and performance according to the feedstock used and production process.
• Optimize the anaerobic digestion of pig slurry using biochar as additive.
• Test different biochar for biogas upgrading and gain insight in the adsorption mechanism.
• Design, construct and operate a low-cost submergible microbial electrolysis cell, using biochar as anode, for ammonia recovery and NH3 emission control in manure storages.
• Use of specific electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry, impedance) and microbiological analyses.
• Perform literature review, data collection and management, involving statistical analysis.
• Assistance to congress to present outcomes of the thesis and participation in other communication and dissemination activities.
• Publication of scientific papers.
• Collaboration in the general development of the aforementioned project and other projects, related to the research line, of the group.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees: Bachelor's degree in Biological Systems Engineering, Biology, Biotechnology, or related degrees.
• Also the candidate must hold: a) A Master’s in Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Biology or related. 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.
• Proficiency in English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• Experience in physicochemical analysis of wastes.
• Experience in gas emissions sampling into the atmosphere.
• Experience in microbiological analysis (PCR, qPCR, etc.)
• Previous experience in anaerobic digestion, biochar utilisation, emissions abatement or the operation of bioelectrochemical systems will be valued.
• Driving license. Additional and/or higher education in…
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Contract: 4 years
• Gross annual salary in 14 payments:
  • First year of contract: 19.800€
  • Second and third year of contract: 24.025€
  • Fourth year of contract: 26.325€

*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.

• 37.5 hour workweek, with Friday afternoons off
• Intensive work schedule from 15/06 to 15/09
• 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.

Equal treatment and equal opportunities are guaranteed for all candidates in the selection process, avoiding stereotypes, bias or barriers linked to gender, sexual orientation, origin, age, ideology, or any other potentially discriminatory condition. The organization also ensures inclusion commitment toward vulnerable groups, and the first round of the selection process is reserved for candidates with functional diversity.

Timings in the Recruitment Process

Curricular assessment: The candidate’s qualifications and merits will be evaluated according to the criteria established in the job offer.

Interview(s): These will be conducted by a Selection Committee to assess the candidate’s suitability in terms of professional experience and competencies.

Additional tests (if applicable): Depending on the position profile and the needs of the process, specific competency-based tests and/or a psychometric test may be included in order to more accurately assess the suitability of the candidates.

Start of contract: December 2026.

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees: Bachelor's degree in Biological Systems Engineering, Biology, Biotechnology, or related degrees.
• Also the candidate must hold: a) A Master’s in Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Biology or related. 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.
• Proficiency in English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• Experience in physicochemical analysis of wastes.
• Experience in gas emissions sampling into the atmosphere.
• Experience in microbiological analysis (PCR, qPCR, etc.)
• Previous experience in anaerobic digestion, biochar utilisation, emissions abatement or the operation of bioelectrochemical systems will be valued.
• Driving license. Additional and/or higher education in…
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees: Bachelor's degree in Biological Systems Engineering, Biology, Biotechnology, or related degrees.
• Also the candidate must hold: a) A Master’s in Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Biology or related. 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.
• Proficiency in English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• Experience in physicochemical analysis of wastes.
• Experience in gas emissions sampling into the atmosphere.
• Experience in microbiological analysis (PCR, qPCR, etc.)
• Previous experience in anaerobic digestion, biochar utilisation, emissions abatement or the operation of bioelectrochemical systems will be valued.
• Driving license. Additional and/or higher education in…
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Contract: 4 years
• Gross annual salary in 14 payments:
  • First year of contract: 19.800€
  • Second and third year of contract: 24.025€
  • Fourth year of contract: 26.325€

*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.

• 37.5 hour workweek, with Friday afternoons off
• Intensive work schedule from 15/06 to 15/09
• 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.