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 Bellvert
Program’s key researchers for this position: Dr. Jaume Casadesús and Dr. Víctor Blanco.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- To lead a research line focused on the development and application of crop physiological models, with emphasis on water relations, gas exchange, and carbon allocation in woody crops, 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 scales.
- To contribute to the design, planning, and execution of physiological and eco-physiological experiments, 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 milestones.
- To support and strengthen the scientific production of the research and innovation activities of the Program through high-quality publications, model developments, datasets, and methodological advancements.
- To lead and actively contribute to fundraising efforts, 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 activities.
- To identify new opportunities for cutting-edge research and innovation 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 technologies.
- To contribute to a collaborative and dynamic team environment, supporting teamwork and cross-disciplinary integration within the Program on Efficient Use of Water in Agriculture.
- To create synergies and promote collaboration with other research programs at IRTA, especially those related to plant physiology, climate adaptation, modelling, and sustainable crop management.
Required qualifications and experience
- PhD on modelling plant water relations, carbon partitioning, gas exchange parameters, and yield formation in horticultural or woody perennial crops, with a strong foundation in crop physiology, eco-physiology, and process-based plant modelling.
- Proven experience in the application, calibration, and evaluation of crop models for woody crops, including the use of either already existing (e.g., APSIM, CropSyst, or similar) or new mechanistic models describing soil–plant–atmosphere water fluxes, carbon allocation, phenology, and long-term biomass dynamics in perennial species.
- Proven scientific output 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 scenarios.
- Experience in applied research 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 outcomes.
- Proven research skills, including:
- Preparation and writing of competitive research proposals.
- Comprehensive literature review and synthesis on crop modelling and crop physiology.
- Design and implementation of experiments aimed at parameterizing and validating crop models (e.g., measurements of plant water status, gas exchange, biomass accumulation, and partitioning).
- Advanced data analysis skills, including handling physiological, environmental, and model output datasets.
- Writing of high-quality scientific articles and technical reports.
- Dissemination skills: presentation/communication skills, and technical writing.
- 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 managers.
- The successful candidate will be expected to attract funds from private and public sectors for research, interacting with stakeholders.
- Full driving license for Europe and travelling availability.
- Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
- Proficiency in English
Desirable requirements
- Experience conducting experimental trials under near-real field conditions, 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)
- Knowledge and practical experience in modelling soil water dynamics, including parameterization and validation of soil–plant–atmosphere continuum processes.
- Hands-on experience in field data collection, with demonstrated proficiency in the use of soil moisture sensors, plant-water status instruments, gas-exchange systems, and other physiological measurement tools.
- Practical experience managing and optimizing irrigation systems and fertigation units, including system calibration, monitoring, and performance evaluation.
- Experience in knowledge transfer and outreach, effectively communicating results to farmers, technicians, and stakeholders through technical workshops, field days, or applied reports.
- Strong skills in data management and statistical or mechanistic data analysis, including handling large datasets from field, sensor, or model outputs.
- A solid scientific track record, including peer-reviewed publications and participation in competitively funded research projects.
- A national and/or international network of collaborators in fields such as crop modelling, irrigation science, plant physiology, or digital agriculture.
- Proven experience leading or contributing to scientific and technical initiatives at international and, where applicable, national levels.
- A proactive, solution-oriented mindset, with the ability to adapt to evolving research needs and project objectives.
- Spanish and Catalan will be valued.
Advantages of joining our team:
- Contract: permanent position or IRTA Consolida (tenure track) position subject to the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
- Salary: to be resolved according to the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate
- 37.5 hour workweek, with Friday afternoons off
- Intensive work schedule from 15/06 to 15/09
- 23 vacation days
- 3 days of family & work conciliation
- 45 hours of personal days
- Remote work 6 workdays per month
- Flexible Schedule for a good work-life balance.
- Continuous training and professional growth opportunities.
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 permits.
Instructions to Apply
If 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 this 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 diversity.
Selection Process:
Curricular assessment: The candidate’s qualifications and merits will be evaluated according to the criteria established in the job offer.
Interview(s): These will be conducted by a Selection Committee to assess the candidate’s suitability in terms of professional experience and competencies.
Additional tests (if applicable): 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 candidates.
Start of contract: End of 2026 (approximately)
