The Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) in Spain is inviting applications for postdoctoral positions through the AgrifoodTECH programme, funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA-COFUND). This initiative aims to train 16 postdoctoral researchers in the rapidly evolving field of agri-food technology, with a strong emphasis on Agriculture 4.0, sustainability, and smart agriculture. The programme is designed to address pressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity, all of which threaten food security in the European Union and beyond.

Research areas available in the First Call include sustainable growing media in horticulture, innovative approaches to soil compaction, big data and artificial intelligence for food safety, cold plasma technologies for microbial safety and postharvest quality, sustainable valorization of horticultural by-products, IoT- and AI-enabled postharvest management, advances in agrivoltaics, and 5G mesh networks for resilient agriculture. The programme is highly interdisciplinary, integrating expertise from agriculture, environmental science, computer science, and biology.

Selected postdoctoral researchers will benefit from international and intersectoral experiences, including secondments with 14 partner organizations. The programme offers a stimulating research environment, recognized by the European Commission's HRS4R distinction, and is located in the Region of Murcia, a strategic hub for agri-food innovation in Spain. The AgrifoodTECH project also aims to lay the foundation for the first European Research Institute dedicated to agri-food technology.

Applicants must hold a PhD and demonstrate a strong background relevant to the research lines. The positions are fully funded under the MSCA-COFUND scheme, offering competitive salaries, research support, and mobility allowances. For full details, including specific project descriptions and application instructions, candidates should consult the official AgrifoodTECH website and the First Call offers page.

Keywords: agri-food technology, agriculture 4.0, sustainability, smart agriculture, food security, big data, artificial intelligence, postharvest management, bioactive compounds, horticulture.