Empleos actuales relacionados con Researcher in modelling of Soil-Plant-Atmosphere - Lleida, Lérida - IRTA

We are currently seeking a
Researcher in modelling of Soil-Plant-Atmosphere (SPAC) Water
to join our
Efficient Use of Water in Agriculture Program
team located in
Lleida (Fruitcentre)
, offering a great opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment within our organization.

The researcher will lead and carry out research projects and collaborative contracts, working closely with other team researchers to investigate the biophysical and physiological processes governing water and carbon fluxes between woody crops and the atmosphere, and how these processes ultimately determine growth and yield. This research activity will strengthen and complement ongoing lines on irrigation agronomy and the development of digital tools for efficient water management in tree crops and grapevines

.

Head of the Program: Dr. Joaquim Bellve

rtProgram's key researchers for this position: Joan Girona, Jaume Casadesús and Víctor Blanc

**o.

Tasks and Responsibilit**

• iesTo lead a research line focused on the development and application of crop physiological mod
  els, with emphasis
  on water relations, gas exchange, and carbon allocation in woody cr
  ops, aiming to advance our understanding of plant responses to water availability, climate variability, and management practices. The expected outcomes include R+D contributions that enhance state-of-the-art modelling approaches supporting efficient irrigation strategies, precision water management, and sustainable agronomic practices at plot and regional scal
• es.To contribute to the design, planning, and execution of physiological and eco-physiological experime
  nts, ensuring the integration of high-quality field and laboratory measurements (e.g., plant water status, photosynthesis and respiration, biomass partitioning) into model calibration, validation, and improvement, and supporting the achievement of the research project mileston
• es.To support and strengthen the scientific product
  ion of the research and innovation activities of the Program through high-quality publications, model developments, datasets, and methodological advancemen
• ts.To lead and actively contribute to fundraising effo
  rts, including the preparation and submission of research proposals to competitive public calls and private-sector collaborations, as well as the preparation of progress and final reports associated with research activiti
• es.To identify new opportunities for cutting-edge research and innovat
  ion in physiological crop modelling, addressing strategic priorities of the Program on Efficient Use of Water in Agriculture and fostering the integration of plant physiology knowledge into crop models, decision-support tools and irrigation technologi
• es.To contribute to a collaborative and dynamic team environm
  ent, supporting teamwork and cross-disciplinary integration within the Program on Efficient Use of Water in Agricultu
• re.To create synergies and promote collaboration with other research programs at I
  RTA, especially those related to plant physiology, climate adaptation, modelling, and sustainable crop manageme

**nt.

Required qualifications and experi**

• encePhD on modelling plant water relations, carbon partitioning, gas exchange parameters, and yield formation in horticultural or woody perennial c
  rops, with a strong foundation in crop physiology, eco-physiology, and process-based plant modell
• ing.Pr
  oven experience in the application, calibration, and evaluation of crop models for woody c
  rops, including the use of either already existing (e.
  g., A
  PS
  IM, Crop
  Syst, or similar) or new mechanistic models describing soil–plant–atmosphere water fluxes, carbon allocation, phenology, and long-term biomass dynamics in perennial spec
• ies.Proven scientific ou
  tput in the field of physiological crop modelling—such as peer-reviewed publications, model developments, methodological papers, or datasets—specifically addressing water use, carbon balance, or productivity in woody crops under varying irrigation and climate scenar
• ios.Experience in applied rese
  arch involving the integration of modelling with experimental data from field or controlled-environment trials, ideally in orchards or perennial horticultural systems, including model-driven evaluation of irrigation strategies, stress responses, or productivity outco
• mes.Proven research sk
  ills, includ
• ing:Preparation and writing of competitive research propos
• als.Comprehensive literature review and synthesis on crop modelling and crop physiol
• ogy.Design and implementation of experiments aimed at parameterizing and validating crop models (e.g., measurements of plant water status, gas exchange, biomass accumulation, and partitioni
• ng).Advanced data analysis skills, including handling physiological, environmental, and model output datas
• ets.Writing of high-quality scientific articles and technical repo
• rts.Dissemination skills: presentation/communication skills, and technical writ
• ing.Capacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with national and international research organizations, and the ability to interact closely with private companies and irrigation district manag
• ers.The successful candidate will be expected to attract funds from private and public sectors for research, interacting with stakehold
• ers.Full driving license for Europe and travelling availabil
• ity.Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and developm
• ent.Proficiency in Eng

**lish

Desirable require**

• mentsExperience conducting experimental trials under near-real field condi
  tions, including monitoring of physiological and environmental variables relevant for crop modelling. Experience in computing coding for data analysis and visualisation (e.g. Python, R, and/or Matlab) is desi
• rableKnowledge and practical experience in modelling soil water dyn
  amics, including parameterization and validation of soil–plant–atmosphere continuum proce
• sses.Hands-on experience in field data colle
  ction, with demonstrated proficiency in the use of soil moisture sensors, plant-water status instruments, gas-exchange systems, and other physiological measurement t
• ools.Practical experience managing and optimizing irrigation systems and fertigation
  units, including system calibration, monitoring, and performance evalua
• tion.Experience in knowledge transfer and out
  reach, effectively communicating results to farmers, technicians, and stakeholders through technical workshops, field days, or applied rep
• orts.Strong skills in data management and statistical or mechanistic data ana
  lysis, including handling large datasets from field, sensor, or model out
• puts.A solid scientific track r
  ecord, including peer-reviewed publications and participation in competitively funded research proj
• ects.A national and/or international network of collabor
  ators in fields such as crop modelling, irrigation science, plant physiology, or digital agricul
• ture.Proven experience leading or contributing to scientific and technical initiatives at international and, where applicable, national le
• vels.A proactive, solution-oriented mi
  ndset, with the ability to adapt to evolving research needs and project object
• ives.Spanish and Catalan will be va

**lued.

Advantages of joining our**

• team:Contract: permanent position or IRTA Consolida (tenure track) position subject to the qualifications and experience of the selected cand
• idate.Salary: to be resolved according to the qualifications and experience of the selected cand
• idate.37.5 hour workweek, with Friday afternoo
• ns offIntensive work schedule from 15/06 to
• 15/0922 vacatio
• n days3 days of family & work concil
• iation45 hours of persona
• l daysRemote work 6 workdays per
• monthFlexible Schedule for a good work-life ba
• lance.Continuous training and professional growth opportun

ities.Please know that if you are the chosen candidate and you are from a country which does not belong to the UE, IRTA's People Department will support you to get the residence and working pe

**rmits.

Instructions t**

o ApplyIf you wish to be considered for this position and believe you meet the requirements, please submit your application through the form available at the bottom of thi

s page.Equal treatment and equal opportunities are guaranteed for all candidates in the selection process, avoiding stereotypes, bias or barriers linked to gender, sexual orientation, origin, age, ideology, or any other potentially discriminatory condition. The organization also ensures inclusion commitment toward vulnerable groups, and the first round of the selection process is reserved for candidates with functional div

**ersity.

Selection**

Process:Curricular ass
essment: The candidate's qualifications and merits will be evaluated according to the criteria established in the jo

b offer. Inter
view(s): These will be conducted by a Selection Committee to assess the candidate's suitability in terms of professional experience and compe

tencies.Additional tests (if appl
icable): Depending on the position profile and the needs of the process, specific competency-based tests and/or a psychometric test may be included in order to more accurately assess the suitability of the can

**didates.

Start of contract: First Trimester 2026 (appro**

ximately)