PhD Candidate in Soil Microplastics, Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling IRTA in Spain

IRTA is advertising a fully funded PhD opportunity within the Sustainability in Biosystems Programme at IRTA Torre Marimon in Caldes de Montbui, Catalonia, Spain. The position is focused on an important and timely topic at the intersection of soil science, environmental pollution, and agroecosystem sustainability: how microplastics influence soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and microbial communities under Mediterranean agricultural conditions.

The successful candidate will join the CARBON-PLAST project, funded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI), and work with an international, multidisciplinary research team. The project combines laboratory microcosm experiments with field studies in IRTA’s long-term experimental sites. Research activities will include soil sampling, greenhouse gas monitoring, physicochemical and microbiological analyses, quantification and characterization of microplastics using LDIR and FTIR spectroscopy, molecular analyses of soil microbial communities, and environmental impact assessment using life cycle assessment (LCA) methods.

The doctoral researcher will help develop the research plan together with the supervisory team and then carry out laboratory and field experiments with increasing independence. The work will involve measuring relevant soil carbon and nitrogen pools and transformations, tracking CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions, processing and interpreting experimental data, and preparing scientific publications and conference presentations. The project also includes collaboration in meetings, training activities, dissemination, and an international research stay.

Supervision is provided by a team of Dr. Gemma Burón, Dr. Belén Fernández, Dr. Francesc Prenafeta, and Dr. Marta Ruiz. The post offers access to unique infrastructure, including IRTA’s LDIR microplastic facility and long-term agricultural sites, plus opportunities to collaborate in national and European research networks.

Eligibility is aimed at candidates with an MSc or equivalent in Environmental Sciences, Soil Science, Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry or a related field. Candidates must not already hold a PhD. Strong English skills are required, and experience in soil analyses, greenhouse gas measurements, microplastic research, molecular biology, spectroscopy, LCA, statistics, or field/lab experimentation is considered advantageous.

The appointment is a 4-year contract starting around January 2027. Salary is stated at 23,322.09 EUR gross per year for the first three years and 26,325.47 EUR gross per year in the fourth year. The doctoral grant may provide up to 7,000 EUR in additional support for research stays and tuition fees. Working conditions include a 37.5-hour week, Friday afternoons off, flexible and remote-work options, holiday and personal days, and continuous training opportunities.

Applications must be submitted via the IRTA talent website before 30 September 2026. Candidates should be prepared to undergo curricular assessment, interviews, and possible additional tests. At contract signing, the selected candidate must provide proof of admission to, or enrolment in, a doctoral programme.