The University of Almería is pleased to host potential MSCA-PF 2026 applicants! Professor Isabel Miralles Mellado (Dept. of Agronomy) welcomes expressions of interest from talented researchers eager to develop an innovative project under his supervision. Applicants must satisfy the MSCA Mobility Rule. Further information regarding the 2026 call requirements is available here.
Our institution
Founded in 1993, the University of Almería (UAL) is a dynamic and modern public institution located on the Mediterranean coast, actively contributing to the European Research Area through international collaboration. Our research community comprises 1,041 professionals and 144 recognized research groups, all committed to excellence, social impact, and high-level knowledge transfer.
UAL is internationally recognized for its leadership in strategic sectors, ranking in the Top 151-200 of the Shanghai Ranking (GRAS) in fields such as Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology, and Nursing. Our research capabilities are centralized in 12 Specialized Research Centers.
UAL holds a strong international vocation and a solid track record in international research programs (H2020, Horizon Europe) and academic cooperation (Erasmus+ KA2), currently managing 46 active international projects as both a partner and coordinator. We take pride in our leadership capacity, having coordinated 9 Horizon Europe Pillar II proposals and heading large-scale initiatives such as the LIFE ACCLIMATE project, and the EU Reference Laboratories (EURL) network. Moreover, UAL is the Coordinator of UNIgreen, the Green European University—a European Alliance of 8 institutions dedicated to sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.
Our office provides "end-to-end" personalized advice, from the proposal writing phase (including technical reviews) to financial management and final reporting.
The Centre / Research Group
The AGROMA Research Group (Agronomy and Environment) has a consolidated scientific trajectory focused on soil science, environmental restoration and ecosystem functioning under global change. The group develops research lines focused on agronomy and soil quality and biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles, restoration of degraded lands, integrating soil microbiology, and environmental biogeochemistry (https://edalab.es/).
The group has a strong record of competitive funding at regional, national and international level, including projects focused on soil restoration (RESTAGRO, P18-RT-4112), soil carbon dynamics and molecular indicators in restored technosols (BIORESOC), soil quality in restored quarries (BIOQUALIRES), climate change impacts on restored soils (CLIMARESTOR) and TECHBIOSOL (evolution of Technosols in semi-arid environments) and the use of biofertilisers as an important tool to reduce inputs of traditional fertilisers (H2020 -Becrop project. Fields4ever initiative).
A key strength of the research group is its background with extensive long-term databases integrating physical, chemical, biochemical and biological soil indicators from multiple ecosystems and degradation scenarios (natural, agriculture, mining, fires affected soils). This unique resource enables long-term trend analysis, comparative studies and data-driven modelling of soil recovery. AGROMA holds a Soil Laboratory, with specialization in microbiology based on NGS at the Department of Agronomy of the UAL, and benefits from a multidisciplinary team and a strong international collaboration network.
The Project
The candidate will join to TECHBIOSOL, a national project focused on soil restoration developing Technosols in a semi-arid area using recycled waste-based amendments. The project investigates soil physico-chemical and biological evolution, as well as the role of microbial communities in biogeochemical cycles and soil structure formation, with emphasis on PGPB microorganisms and their biotechnological potential.
Training will include molecular biology, and advanced soil analysis. TECHBIOSOL is supported by the strong scientific background of the AGROMA group, with a consolidated track record of competitive regional and national projects, high-impact JCR publications, dissemination activities and extensive training of human resources. A key asset is access to a unique long-term database from previous projects, integrating physical, chemical and biological soil indicators across diverse environments and restoration scenarios, enabling robust comparative and long-term analyses of soil recovery.
The group is also embedded in an active European framework that enhances its international dimension. EUROSION (Horizon Europe) develops an integrated soil erosion monitoring and modelling network across Europe, combining water, wind and tillage processes to support sustainable soil management and policy design. HUMRESLAND (MSCA Staff Exchanges) promotes international cooperation on land degradation and food security through mobility and knowledge exchange. The Erasmus+ GRAB project focuses on agroecology, agroforestry and biodiversity conservation, including ecosystem protection in sensitive regions such as the Amazon in Ecuador.
Overall, this environment provides advanced infrastructure,datasets and strong international networks, ensuring integration into ongoing research group.
Research Area
Environment and Geosciences (ENV)
To ensure a comprehensive evaluation of your application, interested candidates are kindly requested to submit the following documentation directly to Professor Isabel Miralles Mellado. Please ensure all files are provided in English to facilitate the review process:
- CV
- Letter of recommendation (optional)
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