PhD in Sustainable Organic Viticulture, Agroecology and Plant Pathology (SCALE-VINE) University of Trento in Italy

PhD opportunity in sustainable organic viticulture, agroecology, and plant pathology at the University of Trento. The SCALE-VINE project focuses on rethinking organic vineyard systems beyond copper-based disease control, with an emphasis on resilient, low-input production systems.

The project is part of the EU-funded SCALE-it initiative, which addresses sustainability transitions in agriculture and the development of non-contentious alternatives for organic farming. Research themes include modelling disease dynamics across scales (plant, field, landscape), experimental redesign of vineyard systems, evaluation of alternative plant protection strategies, and analysis of farmer practices and system-level responses.

This PhD is especially relevant for candidates interested in organic viticulture, crop diversification, sustainable agriculture, agroecology, plant science, and plant pathology. The work will be carried out at UniTrento C3A and Fondazione Edmund Mach in an interdisciplinary and international environment.

Funding is fully provided for 3 years, with a stipend of €21,750 per year (approximately €1,650/month). The deadline mentioned in the post is 2026-05-28.

Applicants are expected to have a background in plant science, plant pathology, agroecology, or a related area, plus a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and system-level approaches. Prior research experience such as an MSc thesis, experimental work, or modelling work is preferred.