PhD Positions

within a Research Infrastructure: No

Offer Description

AGRIPOLYS is an international Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network dedicated to advancing the development of innovative and sustainable polymeric materials for applications in the agricultural sector. The network aims to address key challenges associated with the performance, sustainability and environmental impact of polymer-based technologies in agriculture, combining advanced polymer chemistry, materials science and application-oriented research.

By integrating cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary doctoral training, international secondments and close collaboration between academic and industrial partners, AGRIPOLYS will train a new generation of researchers equipped to design, develop and evaluate innovative polymer-based solutions for more sustainable agricultural practices. The network provides an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral doctoral training environment, bridging fundamental research, technological innovation and practical applications.

The 15 PhD projects and the corresponding host institutions are:

• DC1 – Functional Polymers for Reducing Dust-Off in Seed Coatings (University of Warwick, UK)
• DC2 – Biodegradable POX/PPE Copolymers for Agricultural Applications (University of Warwick, UK)
• DC3 – Biodegradable Poly(meth)acrylates for Preserving Beneficial Microorganisms (University of Padova, I)
• DC4 – Molecularly Designed Polymer Carriers for Gene Delivery in Plants (University of Padova, I)
• DC5 – Bio-Based Resorbable Polymer Particles for Slow-Release Fertilizers (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE)
• DC6 – Biodegradation Pathways of Designed Polymers in Soil (University of Vienna, A)
• DC7 – Polymers for RNA Delivery to Plants (University of Warwick, UK)
• DC8 – Fate and Fragmentation of Designed Polymers in Soil (University of Vienna, A)
• DC9 – Biodegradation Mechanisms for Sustainable Material Design (Syngenta, UK)
• DC10 – Interfacial Properties and Dust-Off in Seed Coatings (ETH Zurich, CH)
• DC11 – Biodegradable Polyphosphoester Carriers for Agrochemical Delivery (University of Twente, NL)
• DC12 – Biopolymer Modification and Biodegradable Seed-Coating Formulations (Bioweg, D)
• DC13 – Biodegradable Polymers for Seed Treatments (Bayer, D)
• DC14 – Biodegradable Polymers for Seed-Treatment Formulations (Covestro, D)
• DC15 – Bio-Based Dispersions for Agrochemical Encapsulation and Release (LigniLabs, D)

Where to apply

https://research.chimica.unipd.it/agripolys/index.php/openings/

Requirements

Research Field: Chemistry » Other

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Specific Requirements: Candidate has not resided/carried out work or studies in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before 1 January 2027.

Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent

Additional Information

Benefits

All 15 Doctoral Candidates will be recruited under the MSCA Doctoral Networks programme and will receive a competitive remuneration package in accordance with MSCA regulations.

The EU-funded monthly allowances are:

• Living allowance: €4010/month, adjusted by the country correction coefficient applicable to the recruiting institution.
• Mobility allowance: €710/month.
• Family allowance: €660/month, where applicable and subject to MSCA eligibility conditions.

The country correction coefficient is applied exclusively to the living allowance to account for differences in living costs between countries.

The total monthly EU contribution for each Doctoral Candidate is therefore calculated as follows:

(€4010 × country correction coefficient) + €710 (+ €660, if eligible for the family allowance).

Please note that these amounts represent the EU-funded employment budget and are not necessarily equivalent to the contractual gross salary or net take-home pay. Applicable employer and employee social security contributions, taxes and other mandatory deductions depend on the national legislation and employment arrangements of the recruiting institution.

Selection process

Recruitment will be conducted independently by each hosting institution. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and each PhD position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been selected. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply as early as possible.

If any PhD positions remain unfilled after the application deadline, the relevant hosting institutions may extend the deadline or launch a new call for the remaining vacancies.

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 2
  Company/Institute: University of Padova
  Country: Italy
  City: Padova
  Postal Code: 35131
• Number of offers available: 3
  Company/Institute: University of Warwick
  Country: United Kingdom
  City: Coventry
• Number of offers available: 1
  Company/Institute: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
  Country: Sweden
  City: Stockholm
• Number of offers available: 2
  Company/Institute: University of Vienna
  Country: Austria
  City: Wien
• Number of offers available: 1
  Company/Institute: ETH Zurich
  Country: Switzerland
  City: Zurich
• Number of offers available: 1
  Company/Institute: University of Twente
  Country: Netherlands
  City: Enschede
• Number of offers available: 1
  Company/Institute: Covestro Deutschland AG
  Country: Germany
  City: Leverkusen
• Number of offers available: 1
  Company/Institute: Syngenta Ltd
  Country: United Kingdom
  City: Bracknell
• Number of offers available: 1
  Company/Institute: Bayer AG
  Country: Germany
  City: Leverkusen
• Number of offers available: 1
  Company/Institute: BIOWEG Gmbh
  Country: Germany
  City: Quakenbrück
• Number of offers available: 1
  Company/Institute: LignLabs Gmbh
  Country: Germany
  City: Wiesbaden

Contact

Website: https://research.chimica.unipd.it/agripolys/