Organisation/Company IRTA Department Human Resources Research Field Agricultural sciences » Soil science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Sep 2026 - 11:04 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 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 looking for a PhD Candidate to join the Sustainability in Biosystems Programme , based at IRTA Torre Marimon (Caldes de Montbui, Catalonia, Spain). We offer the opportunity to be part of an international research environment with a dynamic and collaborative team focused on scientific excellence, innovation, and professional development.

The selected candidate will join the CARBON-PLAST project (Microplastic effects on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling and greenhouse gas emissions in Mediterranean agriculture) funded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI). The project aims to understand how microplastics affect soil health by altering carbon and nitrogen dynamics, greenhouse gas emissions, and microbial communities under Mediterranean agricultural conditions. The research combines laboratory microcosm experiments with field studies in IRTA's long-term experimental sites, using state-of-the-art analytical techniques, including LDIR and FTIR spectroscopy, molecular microbiology methods, greenhouse gas monitoring, and life cycle assessment.

Key researchers for the position

- Dr. Francesc Prenafeta
- Dr. Marta Ruiz

Tasks and Responsibilities:

- Develop, together with the supervisory team, a doctoral research plan addressing the effects of microplastics on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Design and carry out laboratory and field experiments related to the doctoral project, progressively developing scientific independence under the guidance of the supervisory team.
- Conduct field sampling campaigns at IRTA's long-term experimental sites, including soil sampling and greenhouse gas monitoring, and preparation for physicochemical, microbiological and microplastic analyses.
- Perform soil microcosm incubation experiments to study interactions among microplastics, soil microbial communities, and carbon and nitrogen cycling.
- Determine relevant soil carbon and nitrogen pools and transformations,



and measure greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O) from laboratory and field experiments.
- Extract, characterize and quantify microplastics from environmental samples using advanced analytical techniques, including LDIR and FTIR spectroscopy.
- Perform molecular analyses of soil microbial communities (DNA extraction, qPCR and sequencing, depending on experience).
- Perform quantification of environmental impact using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies.
- Process, analyse, integrate and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical software.
- Prepare scientific publications arising from the doctoral research and present research findings at national and international conferences.
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary research team and participate in project meetings, training activities, research seminars, dissemination activities, and an international research stay.
- MSc degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Soil Science, Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry or related disciplines.
- Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree (PhD)
- Strong interest in soil science, environmental pollution, biogeochemistry, microbiology or climate change.
- Previous laboratory experience in environmental or agricultural research.
- Basic knowledge of experimental design, statistical analysis and data processing.
- Strong written and spoken English skills.
- Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to collaborative research.
- Highly motivated to pursue a PhD within an internationally competitive research project.
- Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
- Experience in soil analyses, greenhouse gas measurements or microplastic research.
- Knowledge of molecular biology techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR or sequencing).
- Knowledge of relevant LCA software, databases, and emission models.




- Experience with statistical software (R, Python or similar).
- Experience in laboratory and/or field experimentation.
- Knowledge of spectroscopy techniques (FTIR or LDIR) will be considered an asset.
- Scientific writing skills.
- Knowledge of Catalan and/or Spanish.
- Driving licence (B).

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Agricultural sciences » Soil science

Additional Information

Advantages of joining our team:

- Contract: 4 years
- First, second and third year of contract: 23.322,09€ gross per year
- Fourth year of contract: 26.325,47€ gross per year

*Subject to the corresponding withholdings, pursuant to prevailing regulations, and to the collective employment agreement of IRTA

The doctoral grant provides up to 7.000€ in additional funding to cover:

- Research stays of at least one month at other R&D; centres.
- Tuition fees for the four years of the PhD programme.
- 37.5 hour workweek, with Friday afternoons off
- Intensive work schedule from 15/06 to 15/09
- 3 days of family & work conciliation
- 45 hours of personal days
- Versátil Schedule for a good work-life balance.
- Continuous training and professional growth opportunities.
- Access to unique research infrastructures, including IRTA's LDIR microplastic facility and long-term agricultural experimental sites.
- Supervision by internationally recognised researchers in soil health, environmental microbiology and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Collaboration opportunities within national and European research networks.

Selected candidates must, at the time of signing the employment contract, provide documentation confirming either their admission to a doctoral programme or their enrolment in the programme.

Please know that if you are the chosen candidate and you are from a country which does not belong to the UE, IRTA’s People Department will support you to get the residence and working permits.

Timings in the Recruitment Process

Additional tests (if applicable): Depending on the position profile and the needs of the process, specific competency-based tests and/or a psychometric test may be included in order to more accurately assess the suitability of the candidates.
Start of contract: January 2027 (approximately)

The contract is part of project PID OR-I00 , funded by MICIU/AEI/ / and by the European Social Fund Plus FSE+ .

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📌 PhD Candidate in Soil Microplastics, Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling (España)
🏢 IRTA
📍 España