PhD candidate project about optimizing canopy management in warm-climate vineyards

European Commission; España; Presencial; EUR 20.000 - 30.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading research institution is seeking a PhD Candidate to join their Efficient Use of Water in Agriculture Program in Lleida. This role involves experimental planning and execution, monitoring tree water relations, and analyzing data to optimize vineyard management under changing climatic conditions. Ideal candidates should have strong educational backgrounds in relevant sciences and a passion for research and teamwork.

Formación

• Candidates must not hold a PhD degree.
• Proficiency in English is required.
• Driving license preferred.

Responsabilidades

• Plan and execute experiments on tree water relations and irrigation.
• Manage and analyze data, including large datasets.
• Prepare communication materials for conferences and seminars.

Conocimientos

Teamwork

Adaptability

Data Analysis

Statistical Modeling

Communication skills

Educación

Bachelor’s in Agronomy, Biology, Environmental Science

Master’s in Agricultural Engineering, Horticulture, Plant Physiology

Herramientas

R

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company: IRTA

Department: Human Resources

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology, Environmental science » Other

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: Master Positions

Country: Spain

Application Deadline: 27 Jul 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Offer Starting Date: 16 Oct 2025

Funding: Not funded by a EU programme

Research Infrastructure Staff Position: No

Offer Description

We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Efficient Use of Water in Agriculture Program team located in Lleida. This is 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 titled: “Optimizing canopy management in warm-climate vineyards to enhance grape yield and quality under changing climatic conditions”.

The candidate will be responsible for experimental planning, setup, and execution of laboratory and field experiments on tree water relations, ecophysiology, irrigation, and orchard management, including data acquisition, processing, and analysis.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Monitoring plant, soil, and atmospheric water status throughout the season under different edaphoclimatic conditions.
• Sample processing in the lab.
• Data management, including handling large datasets.
• Data analysis, statistical modeling, and interpretation.
• Literature review and metadata analysis.
• Writing scientific papers and reports, including hypothesis formulation, testing, and discussion of findings.
• Preparing scientific and extension communication materials for conferences, seminars, and workshops.

Candidates must hold one of the following degrees:

• A Bachelor’s in Agronomy, Biology, Environmental Science, or similar;
• A Master’s in Agricultural Engineering, Horticulture, Plant Physiology, or similar;
• Be eligible to enroll in a doctoral program according to Catalan university requirements (i.e., 60-120 ECTS credits at the master’s level or equivalent);

Additional requirements include:

• No previous PhD degree.
• Driving license (preferred).
• Proficiency in English.
• Strong teamwork skills and adaptability to multidisciplinary environments.

Preferred experience:

• Research in tree water relations, irrigation, precision horticulture, plant science, environmental science, or climate change.
• Fieldwork experience with scientific protocols.
• Scientific publications are a plus.
• Knowledge of ecophysiology, sampling methods, and advanced statistics using R.
• Good communication skills in verbal and written forms.
• Knowledge of Catalan and Spanish languages is valued.

Research field: Biological sciences » Biology, Environmental science » Other

Years of research experience: 1-4 years