TERRA-MED Predoctoral Programme

Title:

TERRA-MED predoctoral programme – 2 PhD positions open at ICIQ

Description:

The TERRA-MED international doctoral programme is recruiting 33 doctoral researchers to address the environmental and climate challenges facing Mediterranean territories.

Co-funded by the European Union through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA COFUND), TERRA-MED, coordinated by the Euroregion Pyrenees–Mediterranean, brings together the Regions of Occitanie (France), Catalonia and the Balearic Islands (Spain), forming a cross-border research ecosystem brings together 12 research institutions.

What does TERRA-MED offer?

33 funded doctoral positions across France and Spain

International co-supervision and academic mobility

Collaboration with academic and non-academic partners

Access to complementary research expertise and facilities

Dedicated training and career development opportunities

Research contributing to Mediterranean sustainability and climate resilience

Applications open 15 October – 31 December 2026

Expected start: September 2027

The overall programme offers an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research environment, with doctoral projects addressing the Water–Land–Energy Nexus across six research areas:

Water, Aquatic Systems & Water Resources

Environment, Biodiversity & Circular Economy

Food, Agriculture & Plant Sciences

⚡ Energy, Hydrogen & Decarbonisation

Chemistry, Materials & Biotechnology

Digital Technologies, AI & Societal Transitions

Fundació Institut Català d’Investigació Química (ICIQ) participates in the programme as Implementing Partner recruiting two PhD candidates:

- ICIQ2 - Mo Speciation in Biological Systems: The MoSto Protein.

• Host institution: ICIQ. Co-supervisors: Carles Bo & Albert Solé-Daura

• Co-host institution: CBI, U. Toulouse. Co-supervisor: Matthieu Chavent

• Disciplines: Theoretical and computational chemistry; Physical chemistry of biological Systems

• Keywords: POMs, DFT, Speciation, Molecular Dynamics, Force Fields, Coarse Grain, Meso-scale, Oligo-elements

• Link to full offer:

- ICIQ3 - Understanding the keys to efficiency in mechanochemistry .

• Host institution: ICIQ. Co-supervisor: Feliu Maseras

• Co-host institution: Institut Charles Gerhardt, U. Montpellier. Co-supervisor: Evelina Colacino

• Disciplines: Theoretical and computational chemistry; Organic synthesis; Physical chemistry

• Keywords: Mechanochemistry, Density functional theory, Microkinetic modelling, Ball milling, Organic Chemistry, Reaction mechanisms, Process Intensification, Green Chemistry, Green chemistry Metrics

• Link to full offer:

Additionally, ICIQ will co-host and co-supervise a third PhD candidate:

- UT14 - Study of the impact of intermittent electricity generation from renewable power sources on the dynamic behaviour and aging of various water electrolyzer technologies.

• Host institution: LAPLACE laboratory, U. Toulouse. Co-supervisors: Christophe Turpin & Santiago Suarez

• Co-host institution: ICIQ. Co-supervisors: José Ramón Galán-Mascarós & Felipe Garcés

• Disciplines: Electrical engineering; Electrochemistry; Solid state materials chemistry; Energy systems

• Keywords: Electrolyzers, intermittent renewable energies, experimentations, performances, ageing, modelling

• Link to full offer:

How to Apply:

Applications are managed through the TERRA-MED central site, you can find more information here:

Candidates are requested to submit the following required documents to present an application:

• Narrative CV: All basic CV information including personal information, education background (undergraduate and other degrees), research activities and skills, track record and professional experience.

• Cover letter: Applicants must respond to the motivation statement questions directly through the application portal.

• Understanding of the Research project topic: understanding of the candidate on the thesis topic offered, and all the research and working experience, attendance to conferences/events, participation to international programs related to the position.

• Academic degrees certificates : Certificate copies of any academic degrees and marks reports during master’s studies. All candidates must be in possession of the master’s degree or equivalent by the call deadline.