Junior Researcher

The selected candidate will be involved in projects focused on understanding the behaviour, fate and impacts of emerging contaminants in different environmental compartments, including water, soil, rhizosphere and crops, as well as assessing their potential environmental effects and risks to human health.

The position includes the development and application of advanced analytical methodologies, the design, coordination and monitoring of experimental studies, sampling campaigns and environmental monitoring activities, the interpretation and integration of complex datasets, and the assessment of emerging contaminants in agricultural systems and nature-based solutions aimed at their control and mitigation. It also includes the preparation of competitive funding proposals, technical coordination of projects, supervision of students, and interaction with public administrations, water management stakeholders, agricultural communities, companies and other stakeholder groups.

The successful candidate will also contribute to knowledge transfer, communication, dissemination, training, co-creation and citizen engagement activities, with the aim of facilitating the uptake of project outcomes and strengthening the scientific, technological and societal impact of the research carried out at ICRA.

Key duties

The candidate should be able to perform the following functions:

• Participate in research, innovation and knowledge transfer projects related to environmental chemistry, water quality and reuse, agricultural systems, and nature-based solutions applied to the study and mitigation of emerging contaminants.
• Contribute to the preparation and submission of proposals to competitive funding calls and, where appropriate, assume coordination or technical leadership responsibilities.
• Design, plan and coordinate sampling campaigns, field studies and experimental activities involving water, soil, rhizosphere, crops and treatment systems based on nature-based solutions.
• Develop, adapt and apply methodologies for the determination and assessment of emerging contaminants and their transformation products in complex environmental matrices.
• Analyse, interpret and integrate chemical, environmental, agronomic and ecotoxicological data to assess the behaviour, transport, removal and impacts of emerging contaminants.
• Contribute to environmental and human health risk assessments related to the presence of emerging contaminants and water reuse practices.
• Coordinate technical activities within projects and collaborate with public administrations, water management stakeholders, agricultural communities, companies and other stakeholder groups.
• Supervise and train internship, undergraduate, master’s and PhD students, as well as technical and research staff involved in the projects.
• Prepare technical reports, scientific publications and other project-related materials.
• Develop knowledge transfer, communication, dissemination, training, co-creation and stakeholder engagement activities to promote the uptake of research outcomes.

Where to apply

Website: https://icra.cat/en/oferta-treball/junior-researcher-invjunior_ssr_agrisolutions/

Requirements

• Research Field: Chemistry
• Education Level: PhD or equivalent
• Research Field: Environmental science
• Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Experience, knowledge & skills

Must have – Required

Research Field or Field of knowledge: Environmental Chemistry

Qualifications and Education Level: PhD in Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Sciences or Chemistry.

Skills: Planning of laboratory experiments and monitoring activities; handling and extraction of water, soil and plant samples; analysis of organic microcontaminants using mass spectrometry techniques, including HRMS; experience with data management and analysis software.

Required Languages: English, Spanish and Catalan.

Required Experience: A minimum of 6 years of postdoctoral experience is required.

Experience in laboratory work and sampling campaigns (planning, coordination or execution); experience in the handling and analysis of environmental samples (including water, soil, rhizosphere and plant material);

Demonstrated experience in environmental and analytical chemistry for the determination of organic contaminants (particularly plastic additives, pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants); experience in the study of the fate, transport and accumulation of contaminants in environmental and agro-environmental systems;

Experience in water treatment and reuse systems, including Nature-Based Solutions related to the analysis and study of the occurrence, removal, transfer and fate of emerging contaminants; experience in the optimisation, development and adaptation of analytical methods;

Experience in the design and execution of experiments under controlled laboratory conditions or in pilot platforms;

Experience in database management and scientific data processing;

Experience in presentations at knowledge transfer platforms and technical forums, as well as in the preparation of scientific publications and technical reports;

Experience in the organisation of and participation in outreach activities and collaboration with non-scientific stakeholders (citizen associations, companies, etc.), including training, communication, stakeholder engagement and citizen science activities.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team;

Creative, flexible and motivated to learn and expand their scientific network.

Desirable

Experience with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for suspect and non-target screening analysis.

Knowledge of Nature-Based Solutions for wastewater and greywater treatment, including green walls, constructed wetlands and/or hydroponic systems, in relation to the occurrence, behaviour and fate of organic microcontaminants.

• Languages: English — Good
• Languages: Spanish — Good
• Languages: Catalan — Good
• Research Field: Chemistry; Environmental science
• Years of Research Experience: 4 - 10

Additional Information

Benefits

Working conditions: Employed in compliance with Spanish legislation and regulations. Employees receive the benefits of the Spanish Social Security system covering sickness, maternity/paternity leaves and injuries at work.

International Environment: The opportunity to join a prestigious international research institution and become a member of a young and growing team.

Continuous training in a high-quality environment.

Selection process

Applications procedure & process

All applications must be contain:

• CV
• Motivation letter
• DNI or NIE (valid and with work permit in Spain). If you do not have a NIE, please attach a statement that you commit to take the necessary steps to obtain a work and residence permit in Spain.
• Academic Degree (PhD)

Deadline for applications: Submission of applications at ICRA – Offers. The deadline to submit the required documentation is November 5th, 2026.

Selection process: In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

Website for additional job details: https://icra.cat/en/oferta-treball/junior-researcher-invjunior_ssr_agrisolutions/

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA)
• Country: Spain

Contact

City: Girona
Website: https://www.icra.cat
Street: Emili Grahit 101, H2O Building, Science and Technology Park of the University of Girona
Postal Code: 17003