CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JOB
- Location: ICRA – Catalan Water Research Institute Foundation, Girona (Spain)
- Number of positions available: 1
- Scheduled start: 01/09/2025
- Expected contract duration: 28 months
- Annual Gross Salary: €20,000 – €46,000
OFFER DESCRIPTION
Join the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), a leading center in water science and technology based in Girona, Spain. As a participant in the RECREATE project, ICRA offers a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment focused on sustainability, innovation, and real-world impact. At ICRA, you’ll work alongside international experts, contribute to EU-funded initiatives, and help shape the future of climate-resilient water management. Learn more at www.icra.cat.
We are hereby advertising a position for up to 28 months within the RECREATE project (Reliability and Effectiveness of Integrated Alternative Water‑resources Management for Regional Climate‑change Adaptation, https://recreate4water.eu/), which is a cutting‑edge Horizon Europe initiative designed to boost water resilience across Europe by integrating alternative water resources—treated wastewater, desalination, rainwater harvesting, and aquifer recharge—into regional planning.
Operating through four real‑world case studies—in Costa Brava (ES), Syros (GR), North Holland (NL), and Kalundborg (DK)—the project blends innovation with local needs, testing cost‑effective technologies and digital tools that support climate‑adaptive water systems. The project will deliver an open‑access knowledge repository, decision‑support framework, and scalable strategies tailored to diverse environmental, regulatory, and social contexts.
ICRA is seeking an R2-level researcher to lead the Costa Brava Case Study in the RECREATE project. Responsibilities include coordinating stakeholder engagement, managing modeling activities to assess alternative water resource integration, and supporting participatory processes. The researcher will also be in charge of adapting the SUGGEREIX decision-support tool—originally developed by Eurecat and ICRA—to meet RECREATE’s objectives. This is a unique opportunity to blend scientific rigor with applied research and community impact in a high-profile EU project.
Funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe framework programme, Project 101136598 RECREATE. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them
KEY DUTIES
- Coordinate the Costa Brava Case Study within the RECREATE project, ensuring timely delivery of project milestones and effective collaboration with partners.
- Lead stakeholder engagement activities, including organizing co-creation workshops, meetings, and participatory processes with local actors.
- Establish future water management scenarios based on regional needs, stakeholder input, and climate adaptation objectives.
- Develop and run simulation models, potentially using the Urban Water Optioneering Tool (UWOT), to evaluate alternative water resource strategies.
- Adapt and apply the SUGGEREIX decision-support tool, previously developed by Eurecat and ICRA, tailoring it to RECREATE’s context and integrating new functionalities as needed.
- Contribute to the preparation of technical deliverables, including reports for the European Commission and project partners.
- Draft and publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at relevant conferences and events.
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Must have – Required
Research Field or Field of knowledge:
Water Engineering or similar including a solid background in technology and water quality.
Qualifications and Education Level:
PhD in the field of water science
Skills:
- Strong project coordination and organizational skills, especially in research or innovation contexts.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (C1 level or above).
- Scientific writing skills, with experience preparing technical reports and peer-reviewed publications.
- Knowledge on water technology
- Knowledge on water quality
Required Languages:
English, Spanish-Catalan, at a level that can be judged as equivalent to C1.
Required Experience:
Minimum 4 years international post-doc experience
Desirable
- Knowledge of integrated water resources management (IWRM) and climate adaptation strategies.
- Competence in scenario development and analysis for environmental systems.
- Experience with water systems modelling tools, such as UWOT, or similar urban/metropolitan water cycle simulation tools.
- Basic programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB) for data analysis or model adaptation.
BENEFITS
- Working conditions: Employed in compliance with Spanish legislation and regulations. Employees receive the benefits of the Spanish Social Security system covering sickness, maternity/paternity leaves and injuries at work.
- International Environment: The opportunity to join a prestigious international research institution and become a member of a young and growing team.
- Continuous training in a high-quality environment.
APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE & PROCESS
All Applications must be contain:
CV
Motivation letter
DNI or NIE (valid and with work permit in Spain). If you do not have a NIE, please attach a statement that you commit to take the necessary steps to obtain a work and residence permit in Spain.
Academic Degree (PhD)
Deadline for Applications:
Submission of applications at ICRA – Offers
The deadline to submit the required documentation is July 17th, 2025
Selection process:
In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
At ICRA we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities are promoted between women and men in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination by criteria of age, sex, marital status, race, ethnicity, disabilities, political tendency or sexual orientation.
The recruitment will be carried out in accordance with everything provided for in Article 15 of Royal Legislative Decree 1/1995, of March 24, which approves the text of the Workers’ Statute Law, in accordance with what establishes Article 2 of Royal Decree 2720/98, of December 18 (BOE, January 8, 1999), Law No. 12/2001, of July 9 (BOE, July 10) and corresponding rules.
The principle of equality between men and women is taken into account, in accordance with Article 14 of the Spanish Constitution, the EU Directive of 9 February 1976 and everything set out in the Agreement of the Council of Ministers of March 4, 2005, whereby the Plan for Gender Equality in the General Administration of the State is approved.
The universal accessibility of people with disabilities is taken into account, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 1 of Law No. 51/2003, of December 2, on equal opportunities, and it is reserved 7% of the places as long as the candidates pass the selection process and can prove their disability and compatibility in the performance of the tasks, so that we will gradually reach 2% of the total workforce.
Basic information on Data Protection Responsible: Catalan Water Research Institute Foundation (ICRA); Purpose: The selection of candidates for current and future jobs offered by our organization; Rights: You have the right to access, rectify and delete the data, as well as other rights indicated in the additional information; Additional information: You can consult additional and detailed information on Data Protection on our website: http://www.icra.cat/politica-de-privacidad
