PhD Candidate project about hazelnut resilience to climate change under extreme conditions

European Commission; Salamanca; Presencial; EUR 24.000 - 30.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The European Commission is seeking a PhD Candidate for a dynamic project focused on climate-resilient hazelnuts. The role requires strong academic qualifications in relevant fields, dedication to innovative research methods, and effective teamwork skills within a collaborative environment.

Formación

• Degrees in Agronomy, Biology, or Environmental Sciences required.
• No prior PhD should be obtained.
• Strong knowledge in pollination biology and climate adaptation.

Responsabilidades

• Design and implement experiments related to pollination and climate adaptation.
• Analyze experimental data and perform statistical analysis.
• Contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Conocimientos

Teamwork

Adaptability

Professional growth

Fieldwork

Communication

Educación

Master's degree in Agronomy, Biology, Environmental Sciences

Herramientas

R

JMP

Descripción del empleo

Research Field : Biological sciences » Other; Agricultural sciences » Other

Researcher Profile : First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions : Master Positions

Country : Spain

Application Deadline : 30 Jul 2025 - 23 : 59 (Europe / Madrid)

Type of Contract : Temporary

Job Status : Full-time

Offer Starting Date : 16 Oct 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? No

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Fruit Production Program team located in Tarragona . This position offers a great opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Applicants should have a strong interest in research and innovation related to the project “Climate-resilient crops : Hazelnut crop adapted to climate change (ADAPTEX).” The main goal of the PhD project is to address challenges in hazelnut cultivation under climate change, using agronomic, physiological, and technological approaches. The research will focus on evaluating bloom phenology and pollinator effectiveness, developing adaptive pollination strategies, and mitigating heat stress during kernel filling. The project also includes climate simulation experiments and the integration of digital technologies, including AI models, to predict risks and identify new cultivation areas in Catalonia.

• Design and implement experiments related to blooming, pollination, and climate adaptation strategies.
• Collaborate with research team members on experiment coordination and data management.
• Manage and organize samples collected during experiments.
• Maintain detailed records of all experimental activities.
• Analyze experimental data and perform statistical analysis.
• Conduct literature reviews and contribute to scientific publications and reports.
• Present findings at scientific conferences and stakeholder events.
• Prepare and defend the doctoral thesis.

The key objectives include :

1. Evaluating pollinators and bloom phenology

2. Developing pollination strategies and climate adaptation methods

4. Assessing climate change impacts on hazelnut viability

5. Incorporating digital technologies and AI models for prediction and area identification.

• Candidates must hold degrees in Agronomy, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or related fields.
• Must have a Master’s degree in relevant fields or meet criteria for doctoral program entry.
• No prior PhD should have been obtained.
• Candidates invited for an interview should bring or send certified copies of their degrees and academic records.
• Driving license (B) required for fieldwork.
• Proficiency in English is necessary.
• Strong teamwork, adaptability, and professional growth focus are essential.

Specific Requirements

• Interest in pollination biology, plant-environment interactions, and climate adaptation.
• Experience in phenological, physiological, or agronomic fieldwork with tree crops.
• Familiarity with Mediterranean crops, especially hazelnut or other nut trees.
• Willingness to conduct field, laboratory, and data analysis work.
• Licensed drone operator for agricultural data collection.
• Knowledge of multivariate statistics and software (e.g., R, JMP).
• Experience in environmental or crop modeling is a plus.
• Good communication skills in English; knowledge of Catalan and Spanish is valued.

Research Field : Agricultural sciences » Other; Biological sciences » Other

Years of Research Experience : 1 - 4

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