PhD Position Available - “New approaches for measuring dry deposition of nitrogen and trace elements using Particulate Matter biosensors”

The BIOMA Institute for the Biodiversity and the Environment of the University of Navarra is seeking a motivated and talented PhD student to join its international LICA research team (Integrated Laboratory for Environmental Quality).

We are pleased to announce the opening of a fully funded 4-year PhD position within the International Doctoral Program in Science at the Catholic University of Brescia (Italy), focusing on developing and validating novel techniques for assessing the dry deposition of nitrogenous species and trace elements associated with Particulate Matter (PM) in forest ecosystems. Specifically, the research activity will:

1. Perform vertical flux measurements of PM using the Eddy Covariance in a forest ecosystem.

2. Develop and test biosensor-based methodologies utilizing moss-bags and moss-cubes as passive collectors for PM deposition.

3. Investigate the spatial and temporal variability of PM-associated nitrogen and trace element deposition through biosensor.

4. Compare biosensor-derived deposition estimates with EC measurements to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of this alternative approach.

5. Analyze biosensor deployment strategies to distinguish between lateral advection and vertical fluxes.

Key Details:

· Duration: 4 years (3 years in Brescia, Italy, at the Catholic University of Brescia, and 1 year in Pamplona, Spain, at the BIOMA Institute)

· Start Date: 1st November 2025

· Application Deadline: 7th July 2025

· Call for applications and further info

- Molecular drivers of plant resilience as targets for natural biostimulant development (Sustainable Agriculture and Agroecology)

- Crop resilience to climate change (Sustainable Agriculture and Agroecology)

- FisioAIRE: Predictive physiological modelling of urban vegetation's air pollutant absorption capacity using AI and environmental sensing (Environmental quality and health -One Health)

- Global change threats to freshwater fish communities: understanding patterns to promote their long-term conservation (Biodiversity and natural wealth)

- Unraveling Protein Behavior in Unnatural Environments: Advancing High-Concentration Liquid Formulations (Environmental quality and health -One Health).

- European Project Manager - Biodiversity and Environment Institute BIOMA

- researcher in Soil Biogeochemical Processes and Agroforestry Systems - Biodiversity and Environment Institute BIOMA