PhD Position in Wheat Agronomy and Breeding at IRTA, Spain [Salary: €26,325.47 per year]

The Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) is offering a PhD opportunity for a researcher interested in wheat agronomy, plant breeding, crop genetics, grain quality, and climate-resilient agriculture. The successful candidate will join the Sustainable Field Crops Program in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, and contribute to research addressing some of the major challenges facing wheat production under changing climatic conditions.

IRTA is an agri-food research institute under the Government of Catalonia. More than 1,000 professionals work across 19 research areas, contributing to research and innovation aimed at supporting agriculture, food systems, the environment, and society. The institute provides a collaborative research environment with opportunities for scientific development, technical training, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The selected researcher will work within the REWHEAT project, which forms part of a national research project funded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI). The project aims to develop high-yielding wheat varieties that are more resilient to climate change while maintaining stable and superior grain and gluten quality.

About the REWHEAT PhD Research Project

The REWHEAT project brings together Mediterranean wheat diversity, advanced breeding techniques, predictive modelling, and improved agronomic management. Its overall goal is to develop wheat production systems that can maintain productivity and grain quality under warmer and more variable environmental conditions while using nitrogen, irrigation, and other resources more efficiently.

The PhD candidate will investigate the introduction of important quality and adaptation traits into elite wheat material. The research will also examine how genetic, phenological, soil, climatic, and crop-management information can be combined to predict grain quality and yield.

Another important component of the research will involve developing nitrogen fertilization and irrigation strategies according to crop phenology. These strategies will aim to stabilize wheat quality, improve resource-use efficiency, and reduce the environmental impact of crop production.

Key researchers for the position: Dr. Marta da Silva and Dr. Adrian Gracia Romero.

Key Details

Category	Details
Position	PhD Candidate in Wheat Agronomy and Breeding
Research project	REWHEAT
Research area	Wheat agronomy, breeding, genetics and climate resilience
Host organization	IRTA – Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology
Program	Sustainable Field Crops Program
Location	Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
Contract duration	4 years
Expected start	January 2027, approximately
Salary – Years 1–3	€23,322.09 gross per year
Salary – Year 4	€26,325.47 gross per year
Additional doctoral funding	Up to €7,000
Working time	37.5 hours per week
Remote work	6 working days per month
Application documents	CV and motivation letter
Doctoral degree requirement	Applicants must not already hold a PhD

Research Tasks and Responsibilities

The PhD candidate will participate in a combination of field, greenhouse, laboratory, breeding, and data-analysis activities. The work will involve both practical experimentation and quantitative analysis, making the position suitable for candidates who want to develop a broad research profile in modern crop improvement.

A major responsibility will be to characterize and select Mediterranean wheat landraces and breeding lines according to gluten quality, yield, climate resilience, and adaptation traits. This work will contribute to identifying valuable genetic resources that can be incorporated into elite wheat breeding programs.

The researcher will also develop and manage MAGIC populations and backcross populations under field and controlled conditions. Activities will include marker-assisted selection and allele pyramiding, providing practical experience in contemporary plant-breeding methodologies.

Field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments will be conducted to evaluate important wheat characteristics, including grain yield, protein content, gluten quality, and performance stability across different environments. The candidate will be expected to organize experimental data and contribute to the interpretation of results.

Another key aspect of the position is the integration of genetic, phenological, soil, crop, climate, and management data. These datasets will be used to develop predictive models for wheat yield and grain quality. The work therefore provides an opportunity to combine experimental crop science with statistical, genomic, and modelling approaches.

The researcher will additionally contribute to the design and validation of nitrogen fertilization and irrigation strategies linked to crop phenology. The objective is to maintain grain quality while improving resource efficiency under increasingly variable growing conditions. Research findings will be analyzed and communicated through statistical and genomic approaches, scientific publications, research reports, presentations, and collaboration with project partners.

Eligibility and Required Qualifications

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in plant breeding, genetics, agronomy, crop science, plant biology, or a closely related discipline. Candidates should have an academic or practical background that provides a foundation for doctoral research in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.

Experience with field, greenhouse, or laboratory experiments involving cereal crops is desirable, particularly experience with wheat. Applicants with knowledge of plant breeding, quantitative genetics, crop physiology, or grain-quality assessment will be well suited to the research profile.

The position also requires the ability to work with scientific data. Experience using R, Python, or equivalent statistical software will be valuable, as the research involves the integration and interpretation of genetic, phenotypic, environmental, and agronomic datasets.

Strong organizational, analytical, and scientific writing skills are expected. The successful candidate should be able to work independently while also contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary and international research team.

A good command of written and spoken English is required. Applicants must also not already hold a doctoral degree (PhD) at the time of application. Teamwork, adaptability, curiosity, and a commitment to professional and scientific development are also important for this PhD research position.

Desirable Qualifications

Previous academic exposure to wheat, cereal science, crop improvement, plant adaptation, crop physiology, or grain quality would be an advantage. Candidates may have gained relevant experience through a Master’s thesis, internship, practical course, laboratory project, or research placement.

Basic experience with R, Python, Excel, or similar data-analysis tools is also useful. Familiarity with quantitative genetics, crop modelling, climate-resilient agriculture, or sustainable crop management can strengthen an application, although candidates are expected to develop additional technical skills during the PhD.

IRTA is particularly interested in applicants who are motivated to undertake doctoral research and learn new approaches in plant breeding, grain-quality assessment, experimental design, statistical modelling, and crop management. Knowledge of Catalan and Spanish is valued but should be considered an additional advantage rather than a stated core requirement.

Salary and Contract Benefits

The position offers a four-year contract. The gross annual salary is €23,322.09 during the first, second, and third years, increasing to €26,325.47 in the fourth year. These amounts are subject to the applicable withholdings and the IRTA collective employment agreement.

In addition to the salary, the doctoral grant provides up to €7,000 in additional funding. This funding can support research stays of at least one month at other research and development centers as well as tuition fees for the four years of the PhD program.

The position also includes a 37.5-hour working week, with Friday afternoons off. An intensive work schedule is available from June 15 to September 15. Employees receive 23 vacation days, three days for family and work conciliation, and 45 hours of personal days. The position provides six remote-working days per month, together with a flexible schedule designed to support work-life balance. Continuous training and professional development opportunities are also available.

PhD Admission Requirement

Selected candidates must provide documentation confirming either their admission to a doctoral program or their enrollment in the program when signing the employment contract. Applicants who are selected and who are citizens of a country outside the European Union can receive support from IRTA’s People Department with the process of obtaining the required residence and work permits.

Why Apply for This Wheat Research PhD?

This opportunity is particularly relevant for graduates who want to build a research career in plant breeding, wheat genetics, agronomy, crop modelling, climate adaptation, or sustainable agriculture. The project combines several areas that are increasingly important to modern agricultural research. Instead of focusing exclusively on breeding or agronomy, the PhD will connect genetic diversity with field performance, grain quality, environmental data, predictive modelling, and crop management.

The candidate will therefore have the opportunity to gain experience across experimental design, plant breeding populations, marker-assisted selection, field and controlled-environment trials, statistical analysis, genomic approaches, and scientific communication. Working within an established research institute and alongside project partners can also provide valuable opportunities to develop an academic network and prepare for future careers in research institutes, universities, plant-breeding companies, agricultural technology, or sustainable crop production.

Selection and Recruitment Process

The recruitment process begins with a curricular assessment, during which the candidate’s qualifications and merits are evaluated according to the criteria established for the position. Shortlisted candidates may then participate in one or more interviews conducted by a Selection Committee. These interviews are intended to assess professional experience, competencies, motivation, and suitability for the research position.

Depending on the profile of the position and the needs of the recruitment process, additional competency-based or psychometric tests may also be conducted. The expected contract start date is January 2027, approximately.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion

IRTA states that equal treatment and equal opportunities are guaranteed throughout the selection process. The organization aims to avoid stereotypes, bias, and barriers related to gender, sexual orientation, origin, age, ideology, or other potentially discriminatory conditions.

IRTA also expresses a commitment to inclusion for vulnerable groups. The first round of the selection process is reserved for candidates with functional diversity. The contract is associated with project PID2025-171995OR-I00, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+).

How to Apply

Candidates who meet the requirements and are interested in the PhD Candidate in Wheat Agronomy and Breeding position should submit a CV and motivation letter as part of the application process APPLY NOW.

The application should clearly demonstrate the candidate’s academic background, relevant research or practical experience, technical skills, interest in wheat improvement, and motivation to undertake doctoral research. Applicants should pay particular attention to demonstrating relevant experience with cereal crops, experimental research, plant breeding, agronomy, data analysis, or related areas where applicable.

APPLY NOW

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PhD position about?

The position focuses on wheat agronomy and breeding, with particular emphasis on developing high-yielding, climate-resilient wheat with stable grain and gluten quality. The research combines breeding, genetics, field experimentation, crop management, data analysis, and predictive modelling.

Where is the PhD position located?

The PhD candidate will be based in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, as part of IRTA’s Sustainable Field Crops Program.

How long is the contract?

The contract is for four years.

What is the salary for the PhD candidate?

The salary is €23,322.09 gross per year for the first three years and €26,325.47 gross per year during the fourth year, subject to applicable withholdings and the IRTA collective employment agreement.

Is additional PhD funding available?

Yes. The doctoral grant provides up to €7,000 in additional funding for eligible costs, including research stays of at least one month at other R&D centers and tuition fees for the four-year PhD program.

What degree is required?

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in plant breeding, genetics, agronomy, crop science, plant biology, or a closely related field.

Can someone who already has a PhD apply?

No. The requirements state that applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree (PhD).

Is wheat experience mandatory?

The position calls for experience with field, greenhouse, or laboratory experiments involving cereal crops, with wheat experience preferred. Relevant academic experience through a thesis, internship, practical course, or research project may also be useful.

Is programming or statistical experience required?

Experience with statistical software such as R or Python, or equivalent tools, is part of the desired skill profile because the research involves integrating and analyzing genetic, phenotypic, environmental, and agronomic data.

Can international applicants apply?

Yes. Candidates from outside the European Union can apply. If selected, IRTA’s People Department will support the successful candidate with the residence and work-permit process.

What documents are required?

Applicants should submit a CV and motivation letter. Selected candidates must also provide evidence of admission to or enrollment in a doctoral program when signing the employment contract.

When does the position start?

The anticipated start date is January 2027, approximately.