Fully Funded PhD Position – TERRA-MED Programme

Beques

Interested in plant science, optical imaging, chemometrics and sustainable agriculture?

We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to join the OPTIBIO project, "Optical tools and methods for the agroecological transition: studying wheat mixtures under biotic stress", within the TERRA-MED Euroregional PhD Programme in Science and Environment.

This international doctoral project brings together researchers from the Université de Montpellier (France) and the CHEMOSENS Research Group at Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV, Tarragona, Spain) to develop innovative approaches for understanding plant interactions and improving crop resilience.

The Project

How can we better understand and predict interactions between plants to develop more resilient agricultural systems?

The OPTIBIO project aims to investigate the dynamics of wheat mixtures under biotic stress by combining advanced optical monitoring techniques, molecular data and predictive modelling.

The research will integrate:

• Optical phenotyping and hyperspectral imaging: Non-destructive monitoring of plant growth, physiological responses and interactions.

• Chemometrics and multiblock data integration: Advanced multivariate analysis to combine information from different analytical techniques.

• Metabolomics and transcriptomics: Molecular characterization of plant responses and interactions.

• Predictive modelling: Development of models to understand plant behaviour and support the optimization of crop mixtures.

The ultimate goal is to contribute to more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems through a better understanding of plant-plant interactions.

An International Research Experience

The selected candidate will conduct research at the Université de Montpellier and collaborate closely with the CHEMOSENS group at URV.

The programme includes a nine-month research stay in Tarragona, focused on advanced chemometrics, multiblock data integration and predictive modelling.

This collaboration offers an opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment, combining expertise in plant science, analytical chemistry, advanced imaging and data science.

What We Offer

• A fully funded 36-month PhD position.

• An indicative gross salary of €2,450-€2,550 per month.

• Tuition and visa fees fully covered.

• A nine-month research stay at CHEMOSENS (URV, Spain).

• Training in advanced analytical techniques, chemometrics and predictive modelling.

• Opportunities for international collaboration and interdisciplinary research.

• Expected starting date: September 2027.

Who We're Looking For

We welcome applications from motivated candidates with a Master's degree in Plant Science, Agronomy, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemometrics, Biostatistics or a related discipline.

We particularly value:

• Interest in plant physiology, agricultural sustainability and agroecology.

• Experience or interest in spectroscopy, optical imaging or analytical instrumentation.

• Knowledge of statistical analysis, chemometrics, programming or data modelling.

• Motivation to work across experimental and computational research disciplines.

• Ability to collaborate in an international and multidisciplinary team.

Eligibility requirements:

• Hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) by the application deadline.

• Demonstrate at least B2-level English proficiency.

• Meet the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) mobility rule and all other eligibility conditions established by the programme.

Application Details

Applications are open from October 15 to December 31, 2026.

Position reference: UM1 - OPTIBIO

Applications must be submitted through the official TERRA-MED programme application procedure.

Interested candidates are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and submit their applications before the deadline.

For further information about the project and the research activities at CHEMOSENS, please contact:

Ricard Boqué(ELIMINAR)
CHEMOSENS Research Group
Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain

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