About Crag

CRAG is an independent research institution engaged in leading-edge basic and applied plant and farm animal sciences. CRAG is established as a Consortium of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and University of Barcelona (UB). The Center is located at the UAB Campus, and currently hosts 200 members from across the world.

Research Programs at CRAG (from basic science to applied research using plant experimental model systems, crops and farm animals) make extensive use of genomic technologies and large sets of genetic and genomic data.

We invite applications for a predoctoral student to join the Plant Synthetic Biology and Photosynthesis group led by Dr Ivan Reyna-Llorens at CRAG. Our group is interested in understanding the plasticity of different metabolic networks like C4 and CAM and to use this information to engineer novel photosynthetic pathways. To do so we are looking for a highly motivated PhD student that will incorporate synthetic biology and plant physiology techniques.

Responsibilities

- Employ metabolomics to understand the induction and development of the C4-CAM pathway.
- Interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions to contribute to our understanding of plant metabolism.
- Conduct plant physiology experiments to investigate the physiological responses of plants to engineered metabolic pathways.



Monitor plant growth, photosynthetic performance, and other relevant parameters.
- Data management and dissemination: Contribute in the publication of scientific papers and present your results in national and international meetings.

The tasks are included within the framework of an Proyecto Nacional: FLEXIBILIDAD METABOLICA DURANTE LA SEQUIA: ENTENDIENDO EL SWITCH C4-CAM EN PORTULACA Requirements

- To be enroled in a PhD programme in Plant Biology, Botany, or a related field.
- Hands-on experience in the study of c4-cam transition
- Knowledge in C4 and CAM photosynthesis.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research setting.

WORKING CONDITIONS

- Hours/week: Full time (37.5 hours/week).
- Opportunity for professional growth in a high-level CERCA research center.
- Adaptable working hours and a good working environment within a dynamic team.

SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS Please submit all applications through CRAG mail: [email protected] CRAG is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission. All candidates will be considered qualified for the job without restrictions of gender, race, nationality or disability. Integration policy: reserve the place in a first turn for disabled staff.

📌 PhD Student (Ref.40/2026) (Sardañola del Vallés)
🏢 Centre de Recerca en Agrigenomica (CRAG)
📍 Sardañola del Vallés