PhD Candidate in Biochar Use for Manure Management and Biogas Optimization

Offer Description

We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Sustainability in Biosystems Program team located in Caldes de Montbui, offering a great opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment within our organization.

We invite applications from motivated candidates with passion and a strong interest in conducting research and innovation activities on the project: “Exploring the application of biochar to improve manure management through biogas optimization, emission abatement and resource recovery”. This project aims to explore different applications of biochar in the manure management value chain aiming to optimize manure anaerobic digestion, biogas upgrading, emission abatement (greenhouse gases and NH3), as well as testing the nutrient-rich biochar produced as soil amendment.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Characterize different biochar and performance according to the feedstock used and production process.
• Optimize the anaerobic digestion of pig slurry using biochar as additive.
• Test different biochar for biogas upgrading and gain insight in the adsorption mechanism.
• Design, construct and operate a low-cost submergible microbial electrolysis cell, using biochar as anode, for ammonia recovery and NH3 emission control in manure storages.
• Use of specific electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry, impedance) and microbiological analyses.
• Perform literature review, data collection and management, involving statistical analysis.
• Assistance to congress to present outcomes of the thesis and participation in other communication and dissemination activities.
• Publication of scientific papers.
• Collaboration in the general development of the aforementioned project and other projects, related to the research line, of the group.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees: Bachelor's degree in Biological Systems Engineering, Biology, Biotechnology, or related degrees.
• Also the candidate must hold:
• a) A Master’s in Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Biology or related.
• b) To be in a position to access a doctoral programme according to the requirements of Catalan universities, i.e. accrediting between 60 and 120 ECTS credits at the official university master's degree level or equivalent.
• Not to have a previous PhD degree.
• Proficiency in English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.

Desirable requirements

• Experience in physicochemical analysis of wastes.
• Experience in gas emissions sampling into the atmosphere.
• Experience in microbiological analysis (PCR, qPCR, etc.)
• Previous experience in anaerobic digestion, biochar utilisation, emissions abatement or the operation of bioelectrochemical systems will be valued.
• Driving license. Additional and/or higher education in…
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Supervisor/s: August Bonmatí, Victor Riau, Míriam Cerrillo
• Contract: 4 years
• Gross annual salary in 14 payments:
  • First year of contract: 19.800€
  • Second and third year of contract: 24.025€
  • Fourth year of contract: 26.325€

*which will be subject to the corresponding withholdings, pursuant to prevailing regulations, and to the collective employment agreement of IRTA. IRTA will also pay the fees of the doctoral school when receiving the enrolment.

• 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 send your CV and motivation letter.

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.

Timings in the Recruitment 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: December 2026.

El contrato es parte de la ayuda PID2023-147405OR-I00, financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y por el FSE+

Requirements

• Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Good
• Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: IRTA
• Country: Spain
• State/Province: Barcelona
• City: Caldes de Montbui

Contact

• State/Province: Barcelona
• City: Caldes de Montbui
• Website: http://www.irta.cat
• Street: Torre Marimon Crta. C-59, Km. 12,1
• Postal Code: 08140