? 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