Postdoctoral Researcher Job in Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture at IRTA, Spain

The Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), an agri-food research institute under the Government of Catalonia, is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture Practices in Woody Crops. The successful candidate will join the Fruit Production Program based at Fruitcentre in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.

IRTA has more than 1,000 professionals working across 19 research areas. The institute focuses on research, innovation, and technology transfer that contribute to the future of the agri-food sector and society. This postdoctoral position offers an opportunity to conduct research in agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable fruit production. The researcher will work primarily with temperate fruit orchards, with research lines focused mainly on pome and stone fruits.

The position combines research, innovation, demonstration projects, and technology transfer. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Fruit Production Program and interact with other IRTA research teams, private companies, academia, the fruit industry, and the wider scientific community. IRTA is seeking a researcher with a strong sense of curiosity, a humble and collaborative attitude, and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary environments.

Key Details

Detail	Information
Position	Postdoctoral Researcher in Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture Practices in Woody Crops
Program	Fruit Production Program
Institution	Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA)
Research Center	Fruitcentre
Location	Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
Research Area	Agroecology, Regenerative Agriculture, Fruit Production
Main Crops	Pome and stone fruits
Contract	Full-time temporary
Duration	3 years
Expected Start	October–November 2026, approximately
PhD Requirement	PhD in Plant Science
Language	English proficiency required
Other Languages	Catalan and Spanish valued
Remote Work	6 workdays per month
International Applicants	Residence and work permit support available for selected non-EU candidates

About the Research Position

The selected postdoctoral researcher will carry out research, innovation, demonstration, and technology transfer activities related to agroecology and regenerative agriculture in temperate fruit orchards. The research will address practical and scientific challenges associated with making fruit production systems more sustainable and resilient. The work will primarily focus on pome and stone fruit production and may involve several interconnected areas, including soil health, orchard biodiversity, cover crops, natural enemies, pollinators, plant nutrition, and greenhouse gas emissions.

A key aspect of the position is the development and evaluation of agricultural practices that can improve soil fertility, biodiversity, crop productivity, and fruit quality while reducing environmental impacts. The researcher will become part of the Fruit Production Program and will collaborate with other IRTA teams. The role therefore provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of scientific research, agricultural innovation, industry collaboration, and knowledge transfer.

Main Research Areas

The research activities will cover a range of agroecological and regenerative practices in temperate fruit orchards. One major area is orchard cover crop management, including the evaluation of approaches that can support soil health and improve the ecological functioning of orchards. The position will also investigate tree-row soil cover management, including alternatives to conventional herbicide use.

Another important research area is orchard biodiversity management. The researcher will investigate practices that can support beneficial organisms, particularly natural enemies and pollinators, and contribute to more ecologically balanced fruit production systems.

The role will also involve soil management and integrated plant nutrition management. These activities aim to improve soil fertility, reduce soil greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance both crop productivity and fruit quality. Candidates with expertise in one or more of these areas are particularly encouraged to apply.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher will perform research activities within the Fruit Production Program, focusing on agroecology and regenerative agriculture practices in fruit orchards.

Responsibilities will include planning and conducting research, collecting and analyzing data, evaluating results, and contributing to scientifically sound conclusions. The researcher will also conduct literature reviews and use appropriate statistical methods to support the interpretation of research findings.

The successful candidate will participate in preparing proposals for national and international public research calls. This will provide opportunities to contribute to the development of new R&D projects and strengthen collaborations within the scientific community.

The position also involves collaboration with private companies. The researcher will contribute to agreements and joint activities designed to connect scientific research with practical applications in the fruit production sector.

Knowledge and technology transfer will be another important component of the role. The researcher will participate in activities aimed at transferring research findings and technologies to the private sector and academic community.

The successful candidate will also participate in dissemination activities related to the research line, helping communicate scientific findings to relevant professional, industry, and academic audiences.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must hold a PhD in Plant Science, with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Agronomy, Biology, or a related discipline. Proven experience in fruit research is required. Candidates should also have a publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals, demonstrating their ability to produce and communicate high-quality research.

A strong computational background is expected. Candidates should be advanced users of common Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as relevant data-analysis software. Applicants should have demonstrated competencies in agroecology and regenerative agriculture practices in temperate fruit orchards. Experience in one or more of the following areas will be particularly relevant:

• Orchard cover crop management
• Tree-row soil cover management
• Alternatives to herbicide use
• Orchard biodiversity management
• Management practices that support natural enemies and pollinators
• Soil management
• Integrated plant nutrition management
• Improving soil fertility
• Reducing soil greenhouse gas emissions
• Enhancing crop productivity and quality

Strong teamwork skills are also required. Candidates should be able to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and demonstrate a clear commitment to professional growth and development.

Proficiency in English is required.

Desirable Requirements

IRTA is also looking for candidates with strong organizational abilities and the capacity to learn and work successfully within multidisciplinary teams. Experience motivating research teams will be considered an advantage. A challenge-oriented and results-focused mindset is desirable, particularly for candidates working on complex agricultural and environmental research questions.

The ability to develop and strengthen collaborative relationships with the national and international scientific community and with the fruit industry is also valued. This includes the ability to establish professional links across the Catalan, Spanish, and wider European fruit-production sectors. Candidates who can anticipate, plan, and write R&D projects, reports, and technical documents will have an additional advantage. Good communication skills, a collaborative attitude, and strong teamwork abilities are also desirable. Knowledge of Catalan and Spanish is valued.

Employment Benefits

The position is offered as a full-time temporary contract for three years. The standard working week is 37.5 hours, with Friday afternoons off. The employment package includes arrangements designed to support work-life balance. Employees receive 23 vacation days, three days for family and work conciliation, and 45 hours of personal days.

The position also offers an intensive work schedule from June 15 to September 15, together with a flexible schedule. Remote working is available for six workdays per month, subject to the applicable arrangements. IRTA also provides opportunities for continuous training and professional development, making the position suitable for researchers seeking to strengthen both their scientific expertise and professional experience in sustainable agriculture.

Benefits at a Glance

• Three-year full-time temporary contract
• 37.5-hour working week
• Friday afternoons off
• Intensive working schedule from June 15 to September 15
• 23 vacation days
• 3 days for family and work conciliation
• 45 hours of personal days
• Remote work for 6 workdays per month
• Flexible working schedule
• Continuous training
• Professional growth opportunities

International Applicants

International candidates are welcome to apply. If the successful candidate is from a country outside the European Union, IRTA’s People Department will provide support with obtaining the necessary residence and work permits. This makes the position accessible to qualified international researchers interested in developing their postdoctoral careers in Catalonia.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion

IRTA guarantees equal treatment and equal opportunities throughout the selection process. The organization aims to prevent stereotypes, bias, and barriers associated with gender, sexual orientation, origin, age, ideology, or any other potentially discriminatory condition. IRTA also maintains a commitment to inclusion for vulnerable groups. The first round of the selection process is reserved for candidates with functional diversity.

Selection Process

The recruitment process will assess candidates according to their academic qualifications, research experience, professional competencies, and suitability for the position.

1. Curricular Assessment

During the curricular assessment, the candidate’s qualifications and professional and research merits will be evaluated according to the criteria established in the job offer.

2. Interview

Candidates progressing to the next stage will participate in one or more interviews with a Selection Committee. The interviews will assess professional experience, competencies, communication abilities, and overall suitability for the research position.

3. Additional Tests

Depending on the position profile and recruitment requirements, IRTA may conduct additional competency-based tests and/or psychometric assessments. These tests may be used to obtain a more detailed assessment of the suitability of candidates.

Expected Start Date

The expected contract start date is October–November 2026, approximately.

Candidates should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates relevant experience in fruit research, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, soil and orchard management, biodiversity, plant nutrition, data analysis, scientific publication, and collaborative research.

How to Apply

Candidates who meet the requirements and wish to be considered for this postdoctoral position should submit their application through APPLY NOW.

Applicants should carefully review the requirements before submitting their application. A strong application should clearly present the candidate’s PhD background, fruit research experience, publication record, relevant agroecological expertise, data-analysis skills, English proficiency, and experience working in collaborative or multidisciplinary research environments.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Postdoctoral Researcher in Agroecology position?

It is a three-year postdoctoral research position within IRTA’s Fruit Production Program. The researcher will work on agroecology and regenerative agriculture practices in temperate fruit orchards, particularly pome and stone fruits.

Where is the position based?

The position is based at Fruitcentre in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.

What PhD is required?

Applicants must have a PhD in Plant Science. A bachelor’s and master’s degree in Agronomy, Biology, or a related discipline is also specified.

Is fruit research experience required?

Yes. Applicants are expected to have proven experience in fruit research.

What research topics will the postdoctoral researcher work on?

Research may include orchard cover crops, tree-row soil cover management, herbicide alternatives, orchard biodiversity, natural enemies, pollinators, soil management, integrated plant nutrition, soil fertility, greenhouse gas emissions, crop productivity, and fruit quality.

Is experience in regenerative agriculture required?

The position requires competencies in agroecology and regenerative agriculture practices in temperate fruit orchards, with expertise in one or more of the listed research areas.

Is publication experience required?

Yes. Candidates should have a record of publishing research in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

What language is required?

English proficiency is required. Knowledge of Catalan and Spanish is valued.

How long is the contract?

The position is a full-time temporary contract for three years.

When does the position start?

The expected start date is October–November 2026, approximately.

Can international researchers apply?

Yes. Selected candidates from outside the EU can receive support from IRTA’s People Department with the process of obtaining residence and work permits.

Is remote work available?

Yes. The position provides six remote workdays per month, together with a flexible schedule.

What is the selection process?

The process consists of curricular assessment followed by interview(s). Depending on the position and recruitment process, additional competency-based and/or psychometric tests may also be conducted.