? PhD POSITION | Predoctoral Researcher (PIF 2026)

? Tech4Agro – ICA-CSIC | Madrid, Spain

? SPAC-CRADLE Project | CRADLE-ROOTS

Are you interested in understanding how water, carbon and energy move through the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum? We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to join the Tech4Agro group at ICA-CSIC, in Madrid, as part of the SPAC-Cradle project funded through the 2025 Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento call.

? About SPAC-Cradle

SPAC-Cradle (Cascading dynamics of energy, carbon and water in the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum through an integrated observation and modelling system) develops an integrated framework, inspired by Newton's cradle, to investigate how energy, carbon and water cascade through the Soil–Plant–Atmosphere Continuum (SPAC).

? Your PhD

As a PhD candidate in SPAC-Cradle, your research will contribute to developing a robust scientific basis for time-lapse geophysical soil mapping in complex agroecosystems and for coupling geophysical and remote-sensing observations with hydrological/SPAC models through data assimilation.

You will work under the supervision of Dr. Benjamin Mary and Dr. Héctor Nieto, within a multidisciplinary and international team including forest engineers, geophysicists and remote-sensing specialists.

You will also collaborate with project partners and international researchers from SpecLab-CSIC, Universidad de La Laguna, Sorbonne Université, University of Padova and CESBIO/Météo France.

? Main research activities

Your work will include

- Deploying and operating geophysical monitoring systems, including ERT, FDEM and EIT, across the pilot sites.
- Investigating soil moisture, root water uptake and subsurface properties.
- Developing pedophysical relationships linking geophysical measurements to soil hydraulic properties.
- Conducting field and laboratory campaigns, including soil sampling and validation against continuous monitoring data.
- Coupling geophysical and remote-sensing observations with SPAC/hydrological models through data assimilation.
- Contributing to open-source and open-data resources.
- Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting your research at national and international conferences, including EGU and AGU.
- Participating in outreach, mentoring and scientific communication activities.




- Travelling for fieldwork, training stays and conferences.

? PhD thesis and training The PhD will include annual research stays of at least one month, tentatively including:

?? Universidad de La Laguna — SPAC modelling with Dr. Omar García-Tejera

?? University of Padova — CATHY/CFM and soil hydrology tools

?? CESBIO / Météo France — data assimilation techniques

You will also have opportunities for additional training in geospatial technologies, data assimilation and cloud computing, through summer schools and training programmes such as UIMP-CSIC, ESA Academy, ECMWF and the International Soil Modeling Consortium.

The PhD candidate will be enrolled in the UIMP Science and Technology doctoral programme.

? Candidate profile

We are looking for candidates who have:

- A Master's degree (or equivalent) providing access to a PhD programme in Hydrology, Geophysics, Geology, Environmental Sciences, Agricultural/Forest Engineering, Physics or a related discipline.
- Knowledge of soil hydrology.
- Ideally, experience with geophysical methods, particularly ERT/EMI, and their application to environmental or agricultural systems.
- Knowledge of spatial data analysis, geostatistics or pedophysics is an advantage.
- A basic understanding of hydrological/SPAC modelling.
- Experience with inverse methods and/or data assimilation is an advantage.
- Basic scientific programming skills, particularly Python, or a strong willingness to develop them.
- Good written and spoken English.

Beyond technical skills, we are looking for someone who:
- Enjoys both independent and collaborative research.
- Is organized, methodical and detail-oriented in fieldwork and data analysis.
- Has strong problem-solving skills and creativity in developing new methodologies.
- Is interested in communicating research through publications, conferences and open-source code.
- Is proactive and enthusiastic about learning and international mobility.





? What we offer The selected candidate will receive:
- A full-time predoctoral PIF contract associated with the SPAC-CRADLE project, subject to the conditions established in the official PIF 2026 call.
- A position hosted by Tech4Agro, ICA-CSIC, Madrid.
- Supervision by Dr. Benjamin Mary and Dr. Héctor Nieto.
- Access to research-grade geophysical instrumentation, including electromagnetic mapping, ERT/EIT systems and Ohmpi sensors.
- Access to the CSIC High Performance Computing centre (Drago).
- Access to three fully instrumented field sites across different climatic environments.
- Funded international research stays.
- Support for national and international conference participation, with at least one conference opportunity per year.
- Training opportunities in digital and scientific skills.
- Support for open-access scientific publication.

? Expected period: 2026–2030

? Position: Predoctoral Researcher / PhD Candidate

⏱️ Dedication: Full time

? Location: Madrid, Spain

? How to apply The formal application must be submitted through the official CSIC PIF 2026 procedure. Eligibility requirements, documentation and the exact application deadline are determined by the official call (bases de la convocatoria).

In parallel, interested candidates are encouraged to send an informal expression of interest including:

? CV

✉️ Motivation letter

? Academic transcripts, if available

Please send these to

? [email protected]

Subject: Application PhD SPAC-CRADLE For further information about the position, please contact:

Dr. Benjamin Mary — [email protected]

Dr. Héctor Nieto — Tech4Agro, ICA-CSIC

? CSIC maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, and everyone who meets the eligibility requirements is encouraged to apply.

If you know a researcher or Master's student who may be interested in soil hydrology, geophysics, SPAC modelling and data assimilation, please share this opportunity with them.

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📌 ? PhD Position | Predoctoral Researcher (PIF 2026) | Madrid, Spain
🏢 CSIC
📍 Madrid