Description
Dr. Marcos Lado Liñaresis seeking researchers who hold a PhD (with no more than 8 years of full-time equivalent research experience) and are interested in pursuing a research project in the framework of the Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026.
Research Group Summary
The research addresses the integrated study of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, with particular emphasis on the processes that determine their functional quality, resilience, and spatio-temporal dynamics across multiple scales, from plot to catchment. The conceptual framework combines soil physics, biogeochemistry, and ecohydrology, applied to agroforestry systems and degraded environments, in order to elucidate the mechanisms regulating water, energy, and nutrient fluxes and their response to different management regimes and disturbance scenarios. The work focuses on characterizing soil hydrothermal dynamics through the analysis of the spatio-temporal variability of volumetric water content, matric potential or temperature. It also incorporates the quantification of vegetative vigor and nutritional status using proximal sensing and remote sensing techniques, including spectral indices such as NDVI, derived metrics, and chlorophyll content estimations integrated into high-resolution thematic mapping. Complementary analyses address the spatial redistribution of soil and key nutrients, assessing erosion–deposition patterns, sediment connectivity, and the dynamics of N, P, K, and organic carbon in relation to landscape structure and management practices.
Within the field of soil conservation, the research is oriented toward the quantitative assessment of land use and management impacts on soil functionality and associated ecosystem services. This includes the evaluation of changes in structural and biogeochemical properties, such as aggregate stability, bulk density, porosity, organic matter content and fractionation, and macro- and micronutrient availability. The research further encompasses the assessment and modelling of erosion risk in agricultural and forest systems, as well as eutrophication processes driven by excessive organic fertilization, considering nutrient balances, leaching, and diffuse runoff to surface waters. In addition, microbial ecology parameters are examined, including the taxonomic and functional composition of soils under different land uses and management regimes. Finally, the effects of organic amendments derived from waste valorization are investigated with respect to soil physicochemical properties, microbial activity, carbon sequestration, and medium- to long-term structural stability.
Main lines of research
1. Hydrology and Hydrogeology. Numerical Modeling
This research area focuses on the development and continuous improvement of hydrological catchment models and numerical models of groundwater flow and reactive solute transport in porous and fractured media. Key applications include the assessment of water resources under historical and future climate change scenarios; multi-scale modeling from laboratory and field experiments to regional studies; simulation of contaminant transport in aquifers affected by nitrates, radiological contamination (e.g., uranium transport from the Andújar uranium plant), and persistent organic pollutants such as lindane; evaluation of the hydrological and environmental impacts of underground excavations and tunnels; coupled thermo-hydro-chemical-biological-radiological modeling in deformable media; and environmental impact assessments related to mining activities, including the chemical quality of mine lakes and waters in mineralized areas.
2. Soil Science
This line investigates soil properties and functions with a focus on soil quality and health. Traditional research topics include the effects of land use and management on soil properties, erosion risk, and water eutrophication. More recent activities address the impact of soil amendments derived from waste valorization and the characterization of soil properties using spectroscopy and machine-learning approaches to detect changes and spatial variability. Research has expanded to plant–soil–microorganism interactions in agricultural and degraded soils, including the effects of agricultural practices on soil biological functionality, identification of plant growth–promoting microorganisms with biofertilizer potential, and the analysis of soil bacterial and fungal community composition and structure.
3. Data Acquisition, Transmission, and Processing
This area focuses on the monitoring of climatic, hydrological, and soil variables using sensor networks, the acquisition and management of data through wireless communication technologies such as LoRaWAN, and the application of advanced mathematical and computational methods—including geostatistics, fractal and multifractal analysis, and machine learning—for data analysis.
Facilities, equipment & support from the group members
The group AQUATERRA is integrated at the CICA – Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology, a research center of UDC officially recognized as a center of research excellence by the regional government. CICA focuses on three main areas of specialization: (1) biomedicine, (2) nanoscience and advanced materials, and (3) food, pollution, and health. The center comprises 30 research groups and a team of over 220 professionals, including researchers, technicians, and administrative staff. CICA provides access to advanced instrumentation for chemical, biological, and physical analysis. Additionally, the University of A Coruña (UDC) offers Scientific Research Support Services (SAI-UDC), which include a broad range of technical and analytical support infrastructures.
Apart from these common infrastructure, the group has specific resources such as:
• Equipment for sample collection in Hydrology and Soil Science.
• Soil Physics equipment including Richards pressure plate and membrane apparatus, water retention curve instruments WP4 and Hyprop, field soil penetrometer, laboratory micropenetrometer, hydraulic conductivity equipment, rainfall simulator, infiltrometers, and columns for solute transport.
• Geophysics equipment applied to soils and hydrology: apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT).
• LoRaWAN sensors and equipment for continuous in-field measurement of meteorological paramenters and soil water (tensiometers, TDR, FDR); continuous groundwater level measurement using diver devices.
• Basic Chemistry Laboratory for water and soil analysis.
• Basic Soil Biology Laboratory. Determination of biological activity and soil enzymes: laminar flow hood, incubator, autoclave, incubation bath, spectrophotometer, and gas extraction hood.
Potential Research Topic
The restoration of degraded soils represents a critical challenge for European soil security and the Circular Economy. This research proposes an interdisciplinary approach to evaluate the remediation efficiency of Nature-based Solutions (NbS)—specifically the application of biochar and organic amendments—through the lens of soil physical health and long-term C sequestration.
Topic 1: Impact of NbS on Soil Physical Architecture and Hydrological Resilience
The primary objective is to quantify how the integration of biochar and diverse organic amendments rebuilds the physical “scaffold” of degraded technosols. High-density mine tailings often suffer from high resistance to penetration, inhibiting root growth and microbial colonization.
- Mechanisms: This study will monitor changes in macro-aggregation, porosity, and water retention. By incorporating porous biochar, we aim to enhance soil water content and stabilize infiltration rates, reducing surface runoff and erosion in steep quarry environments.
- The Carbon-Water Nexus: The research will test the hypothesis that improved physical structure directly correlates with enhanced C sequestration. Stable aggregates protect organic carbon from microbial mineralization, turning the mine site into a functional carbon sink while restoring soil health.
Topic 2: Spatiotemporal Mapping of Soil Health and Remediation Efficiency
Mine sites are inherently heterogeneous; a “one-size-fits-all” application of amendments is often inefficient. This topic addresses the spatial distribution of soil health indicators across the quarry and pond transition zones.
- Methodology: By combining field-based sensors with geostatistical modeling, the project will map the efficiency of NbS in real-time. We will evaluate how different topographical positions within the mine (e.g., slopes vs. pond basins) influence the movement of water and the stabilization of amendments.
- Goal: To develop a “Soil Health Map” that identifies zones of high remediation success versus areas requiring secondary intervention, ensuring optimized resource allocation for large-scale land restoration.
Topic 3: AI and Machine Learning for Predictive Soil Modeling
To push the boundaries of soil science, this proposal integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to synthesize complex datasets.
- The Innovation: Traditional linear models often fail to capture the non-linear feedback loops between soil chemical properties (e.g., Cu-speciation, pH) and physical properties (e.g., hydraulic conductivity).
- Algorithm Development: Using Random Forest or Neural Network architectures, we will develop predictive models to understand how specific amendment recipes affect long-term soil health. This “Digital Twin” approach allows for the simulation of remediation outcomes before physical implementation, significantly reducing the risk and cost of mine closure operations.
Expressions of Interest
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Marcos Lado Liñares(marcos.lado@udc.es) as soon as possible. Emails should include a CV and a brief motivation letter.
