Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Organisation/Company Universitat de Barcelona Department Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences Research Field Environmental science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 6 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 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 seeking a predoctoral researcher in training to carry out research studies within the framework of the project RESTART – “Unraveling the role of source water-related ecophysiological processes in the spatial-temporal patterns of tree-ring water isotope series” .

Forests regulate the water cycle through transpiration, and understanding which water sources trees use is crucial in the context of climate change. Stable water isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) enable the tracing of water fluxes and, when applied to tree rings, provide long‑term records of environmental and hydrological conditions. The RESTART project aims to reconstruct climatic and water‑source patterns from these isotopic signals, identifying their origin and variability in order to improve past climate reconstructions and refine our understanding of the role of forests in the water cycle.

Objectives of the research:





- Study temporal patterns of climate and water‑source related processes using stable water isotope chronologies from tree rings.
- Analyze the isotopic pathway from precipitation to tree‑ring formation.
- Calibrate process‑based models to achieve more reliable climate reconstructions.

Doctoral research tasks will include:

- Bi‑weekly sampling at the Vallcebre experimental site (Berguedà, Catalonia) to collect samples of xylogenesis and different tree compartments (leaves, xylem, and phloem).
- Laboratory work in dendrochronology, applying different techniques to analyze samples.
- Preparation of samples for isotopic analyses.
- Data processing, interpretation, and scientific writing for publication in peer‑reviewed journals.
- Dissemination of results through conference presentations.

Hold a MSc in Biology/ Environmental Sciences and fulfil the requirements to be admitted into the Ecology, Environmental Sciences and Plant Physiology PhD program at the Universitat de Barcelona.

A full‑time work contract (37.5 hrs/week). The researcher will have the possibility to participate in teaching activities for professional development (not obligatory, though).

20.300,04 year

Eligibility criteria

A specific committee will evaluate the applications using the following criteria:





- Grade point average of the academic transcripts from the applicant’s bachelor's or master's degree studies (or 1st and 2nd cycle): up to 5 points out of a total of 10.
- Curricular merits: up to 1 point out of a total of 10 in accordance with the specific criteria listed in Annex 1.
- Suitability for the tasks to be performed within the framework of the research project or research support position to which the successful candidate will be attached: up to 4 points out of a total of 10.

Selection process

The specific committee will agree upon an award proposal and draw up a prioritized shortlist of candidates who have achieved a minimum of five pointsor declare the call for applications null and void if none of the applicants reach the minimum score.

The award proposal will be published in the UB's electronic office and must include the total scores of the candidates that have received a total of at least five points.

Be aware that the starting date sets in this offer is an estimate date. The official starting date will depend on the time necessary for administration to prepare the labour contract and present the necessary documents for the selected candidate to be hired.

Priority will be given to people with disabilities (Law 89/2015 of June 2, reserve of quota 2% in favour of people with disabilities in companies of 50 or more people).

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Faculty of Biology, Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences Country Spain State/Province Barcelona City Barcelona Postal Code 08028 Street Avinguda Diagonal, 643 Geofield

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📌 PhD candidate in Ecophysiology/Dendrochronology “Unraveling the role of source water-related ec[...] (España)
🏢 Universitat De Barcelona
📍 España