PhD candidate interested in applying for FI/FPU fellowships in the DRYLAND project

IDAEA-CSIC; España; On-site; EUR 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

IDAEA-CSIC in Spain is seeking a motivated predoctoral candidate to join the DRYLAND PhD project, aiming to understand how drought alters soil biogeochemical cycles and mountain water quality.

The work includes field sampling, laboratory experiments, data analysis, and ecosystem modelling to predict climate-driven changes in carbon, nutrients and trace elements in alpine soils and streams.

Qualifications

• MSc in Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Biology, Earth Sciences, Env. Engineering or related fields.
• Strong academic record & motivation to apply for FPU/FI.
• Interest in soil & water biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, fieldwork, and data analysis. Experience with R is a plus
• English proficiency at Excellent level

Responsibilities

• Conduct field sampling and lab experiments to study drought effects on soil biogeochemistry.
• Perform data analysis and ecosystem modelling for drought impacts on carbon and nutrients.
• Work with high-frequency sensor networks and soil/water chemistry data.
• Collaborate across soil microbial ecology, hydrology and global change science.

Skills

Field sampling

Data analysis

R programming

Ecosystem modelling

Education

Master Degree in Environmental Sciences

Master Degree in Ecology

Master Degree in Biology

Tools

Stable isotope analysis (13C/15N)

Job description

Organisation/Company IDAEA-CSIC Research Field Environmental science » Ecology Environmental science » Earth science Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 10 Nov 2026 - 23:32 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time 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

The Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) is seeking a motivated predoctoral candidate interested in applying for an FPU or FI fellowship to join the DRYLAND project. The research will focus on understanding how drought affects soil biogeochemical cycles and mountain water quality. The work will involve field sampling, laboratory experiments, data analysis, and ecosystem modelling, aiming to improve our understanding of ecosystem resilience to climate-induced water stress.

DRYLAND aims to unravel how drought drives the mobilization of carbon, nutrients, and trace elements from high-mountain soils, and how these processes propagate to streams and rivers. The PhD project crosses scales and disciplines, combining: Lab experiments with undisturbed soil cores & advanced stable isotope (13C 15N) techniques, highfrequency sensor networks in mountain catchments (Aigtiestortes National Park), soil & water chemistry, microbial activity & greenhouse gas fluxes and data analysis & processbased modelling to predict water quality under climate change. This is a unique opportunity to work at the interface between soil microbial ecology, hydrology and global change science, contributing to a timely question: How do droughts reshape carbon and nutrient cycling in alpine ecosystems?

Requirements

Research Field Environmental science » Ecology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Environmental science » Earth science Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

MSc in Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Biology, Earth Sciences, Env. Engineering or related fields.

Strong academic record & motivation to apply for FPU/FI.

Specific Requirements

Interest in soil & water biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, fieldwork, and data analysis. Experience with R is a plus

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent