Applications are invited for a fully funded 4-year PhD Candidate position within the Sustainable Field Crops Program at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. The doctoral position is embedded in the Horizon Europe project HEROCROP, focusing on crop resilience, plant adaptation, phenotypic variability, and genotype × environment × management (G×E×M) interactions.
PhD Candidate in Genetic and Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Stress Adaptation and Variety Performance in Crops – IRTA
Position Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Designation | PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher |
| Research Area | Agronomy, Quantitative Genetics, Crop Physiology, Plant Adaptation & Predictive Breeding |
| Host Institution | Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) |
| Department / Program | Sustainable Field Crops Program |
| Location | Lleida – Agrònoms, Catalonia, Spain |
| Contract Duration | 4 Years (Full-Time) |
| Remuneration | €19,656.35 – €26,325.47 gross/year (plus tuition coverage) |
| Deadline to Apply | November 28, 2026 |
Scholarship Description
The position is integrated within the HEROCROP project, an international Horizon Europe consortium uniting expertise in crop physiology, breeding, agronomy, and advanced statistical analysis. The doctoral research investigates the genetic and phenotypic determinants of crop performance and stability under contrasting environmental and management conditions, primarily focusing on wheat, alongside opportunities for cross-crop scientific collaboration.
Key tasks and responsibilities include:
- Contributing to the design, coordination, and scientific evaluation of controlled and field-based experiments evaluating crop responses to environmental stresses and agronomic management.
- Characterising phenotypic diversity and adaptive responses across selected germplasm using harmonised agronomic and physiological protocols.
- Implementing and evaluating high-throughput and field-based phenotyping approaches.
- Analysing genetic, environmental, and management sources of variation, specifically genotype-by-environment-by-management (G×E×M) interactions.
- Integrating multi-omics, environmental, and phenotypic datasets using reproducible computational workflows (e.g., in R or Python).
- Collaborating with European project partners, publishing peer-reviewed research papers, and presenting at international conferences.
Scholarship Benefits
- 4-year full-time contract (37.5 hours per week, with Friday afternoons off).
- Gross Annual Salary (in 14 installments):
- Years 1 & 2: €19,656.35
- Year 3: €21,060.37
- Year 4: €26,325.47
- Full coverage of doctoral school registration and tuition fees by IRTA.
- Intensive summer working schedule (June 15 – September 15).
- 23 vacation days, 3 conciliation days, and 45 hours of personal leave per year.
- Hybrid work allowance (up to 6 days per month of remote work).
- Visa and relocation assistance: Non-EU candidates receive full legal and procedural support for obtaining Spanish residence and work permits.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Mandatory Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Biology, or a related discipline eligible for doctoral enrolment.
- Demonstrated interest in quantitative genetics, crop physiology, plant adaptation, predictive breeding, or quantitative agronomy.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English with sound scientific communication skills.
- Motivation to learn and apply statistical and computational methods (R or Python).
- Strong team spirit, self-organization, and adaptability to multidisciplinary research teams.
Desirable Assets:
- Hands-on experience in field trials, experimental design, crop phenotyping, or multi-environment trials.
- Familiarity with genomic data analysis, genomic prediction, linear mixed models, remote sensing, field sensors, or crop growth modelling.
- Understanding of crop physiology under biotic and abiotic stress.
- Basic knowledge of Spanish or Catalan is valued but not required.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their application online through the official IRTA recruitment portal. Please prepare the following documents:
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A Letter of Motivation describing your research interests, background, and suitability for the doctoral project.
Last Date for Apply
The closing date for applications is November 28, 2026. The expected starting date of the contract is approximately December 2026.
Apply Link
To view the full announcement and submit your application, visit the official recruitment page: IRTA Career Portal Application Link.
