POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER (NBS_Connect)

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JOB

• Job location: ICRA – Catalan Institute for Water Research, Girona (Spain)
• Number of positions available: 1
• Expected start: January 2027
• Expected duration of the contract: 12 months (renewable)
• Gross Annual Salary package: 29.000 € – 38.000 €

 

 

OFFER DESCRIPTION

ICRA, within the Research Support Services Unit, is seeking to recruit a postdoctoral researcher specialised in Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) applied to greywater and wastewater treatment and reuse.

 

The selected candidate will participate in research, innovation and knowledge transfer projects related to the development, validation, demonstration and upscaling of technologies such as green walls, constructed wetlands, hydroponic systems and other NBS, including their integration with advanced water treatment technologies.

The position includes responsibilities related to project coordination and technical leadership, supervision and training of internship, undergraduate, master’s and PhD students, preparation of proposals for competitive funding calls, monitoring of experimental activities and demonstration systems, analysis and interpretation of environmental data, and preparation of technical reports and scientific publications.

In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to knowledge transfer, communication, dissemination, training, co-creation and stakeholder engagement activities, with the aim of promoting the uptake and impact of NBS within the water cycle sector and strengthening the current and future activities of the Research Support Services Unit.

 

 

KEY DUTIES

The candidate must be able to perform the following functions:

– Coordination and technical leadership of research, innovation and knowledge transfer projects related to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) applied to greywater and wastewater treatment and reuse.

– Preparation, implementation and follow-up of projects and proposals for competitive funding calls, including, where appropriate, responsibilities as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI.

–  Supervision, training and coordination of internship, undergraduate, master’s and PhD students, as well as technical and research staff involved in the projects, ensuring the proper implementation of assigned scientific and technical activities.

– Planning, design, demonstration, validation and upscaling of technologies such as green walls, constructed wetlands, hydroponic systems and other NBS, as well as hybrid configurations integrating NBS with other water treatment technologies.

– Evaluation of NBS technologies performance, analysis and interpretation of environmental data, and identification of opportunities for improvement, transfer and increased Technology Readiness Level (TRL).  – Preparation of technical reports, scientific documentation, publications and materials supporting knowledge transfer activities.

– Development of communication, dissemination, training, demonstration, co-creation and stakeholder engagement activities, as well as liaison with public administrations, companies and water management entities, related to NBS topics.

 

As with the rest of the team, the successful candidate will dedicate a small proportion of their time to shared responsibilities, such as the collective maintenance of laboratory facilities and other common tasks.

 

 

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Must have – Required

Research Field or Field of knowledge:

Environment, Water Treatment Technologies, Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology, or related fields.

Qualifications and Education Level:

PhD in a discipline related to environmental sciences, water treatment technologies, biotechnology, or a related field.

Skills:

Knowledge of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and membrane technologies applied to water treatment and reuse;

Knowledge of the design and development of experiments related to greywater and wastewater treatment and reuse;

Competence in the collection, analysis and interpretation of water quality data, including physicochemical parameters, emerging contaminants and vegetation-based systems;

Knowledge of the validation, demonstration and upscaling of water treatment technologies;

Ability to prepare technical reports and scientific publications.

Required Languages:

English, Catalan and Spanish

Required Experience:

Minimum of 2 years of postdoctoral experience in NBS (in Horizon projects or other international programmes) applied to greywater and wastewater treatment and reuse;

Demonstrated experience with green walls, hydroponic systems or other NBS;

Knowledge of plant physiology and assessment of plant health status;

Experience in the analysis of water quality and emerging contaminant data;

Experience in the preparation of scientific publications and technical reports.

 

 

Desirable

Previous experience in membrane technologies for water treatment, in the integration of different treatment technologies; in the assessment of associated environmental, social and/or economic co-benefits associated with these technologies; in scientific dissemination for specialist audiences and outreach to the general public.

 

 

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.

 

 

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 6th, 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.

 

 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In ICRA we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities and equality of opportunity and treatment is promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, creating a context favorable to diversity and to eradicate any type of direct or indirect discrimination based on age criteria (within the limits set by the Workers’ Statute), marital status, racial or ethnic origin, social status, religion or convictions, political tendency, sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender expression, sexual characteristics, union membership or not, because of language, disability or because of sex, including any unfavorable treatment dispensed for the exercise of conciliation rights or co-responsibility of family and work life.

Recruitment will be carried out as provided for in Article 15 of Royal Legislative Decree 1/1995 of 24 March passing the text of the Workers’ Statute Act, in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 of Royal Decree 2720/98 of 18 December (B.O.E. 8 January 1999), Act nº 12/2001 of July 9 (B.O.E. 10 July) and concordant regulations.

The principle of equality between men and women is taken into account, in accordance with Article 14 of the Spanish Constitution, the EU Directive of 9 February 1976 and the provisions of the Agreement of the Council of Ministers of March 4, 2005, passing the Plan for gender equality in the General State Administration.

Universal accessibility for persons with disabilities is taken into account, in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 1 of Act nº 51/2003 of 2 December on equal opportunities, and 7% of vacancies are reserved provided the candidates pass the selection processes and are able to accredit disability and compatibility in performing the tasks so that we will progressively reach 2% of the total workforce.

Ensures effective compliance with the rights to equal treatment and non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and identity, gender expression or sexual characteristics of LGBTI people in the ICRA workplace, in accordance with Royal Decree 1026/ 2024, of October 8, which develops the planned set of measures for equality and non-discrimination of LGBTI people in companies.

Basic information on Data Protection Responsible: Fundació Institut Català de Recerca de l’Aigua (ICRA); Purpose: The selection of candidates for current and future jobs offered by our organization; Rights: You have the right to access, rectify and delete the data, as well as other rights indicated in the additional information; Additional information: You can consult the additional and detailed information on Data Protection on our website: http://www.icra.cat/politica-de-privacidad