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RESEARCH TOPICS FOR XLII CYCLE

First selection procedure (published on March 30, closed on May 12th, 2026)

 

1 (one) position with grant to be carried out mainly at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy) on the following Research topic:

Title: Multi-Omics characterization of beneficial plant-associated microbiomes for the development of Next-Generation biostimulants and biocontrol agents (PGP-mBCAs) against pathogens in horticultural crops
Scientific tutors: Emilio Stefani; Prof. Davide Giovanardi
Hosting Institution: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)

This PhD project focuses on the multi‑omics characterization of novel beneficial plant-associated microbiomes to drive the development of next‑generation plant growth‑promoting microbial biocontrol agents (PGP‑mBCAs) for horticultural crops. Addressing the rising incidence of soil‑borne and foliar pathogens and the need to reduce chemical pesticide dependence, the project explores the functional diversity of rhizosphere and endosphere microbiomes through multi-omics approaches. These analyses will identify key microbial taxa, functional genes, and bioactive metabolites involved in plant growth promotion and pathogen suppression. Beneficial strains and microbial consortia will be validated through in vitro, greenhouse, and microbiome‑guided assays. A strategic component of the project is a close collaboration with industrial partners, enabling technology transfer and the co‑development of market‑relevant biostimulant and biocontrol formulations. This industrial integration strengthens the project’s applied relevance and enhances opportunities for innovation, scalability, and regulatory alignment. Ultimately, the research aims to generate robust, science‑driven microbial solutions that improve plant health, resilience, and productivity in horticultural systems, thus supporting the agrifood sector transformation according to the One Health approach.

The PhD foresees at least six months of research at a foreign institute.

Required skills: High motivation and good experience in applied microbiology and plant sciences, with basic skills in handling and characterizing microorganisms. Knowledge of key molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and sequencing, will support multi‑omics analyses. Introductory experience in bioinformatics, data interpretation, and plant–microbe interaction assays and greenhouse work is desirable. The candidate should demonstrate solid analytical abilities, good communication skills, and the ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary and international research environments to advance next‑generation biostimulants and biocontrol agents.

 

1 (one) position with grant to be carried out mainly at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy) on the following Research topic:

Title: Development of antimicrobial active packaging and coatings for shelf life extension and waste prevention of fresh products
Scientific Tutors: Fabio Licciardello; Andrea Pulvirenti
Hosting Institution: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)

This project aims to develop sustainable antimicrobial active packaging systems and active coatings to extend the shelf life of highly perishable foods, such as fresh meat and cheese, contributing to food waste reduction and improved food system resilience. The research programme includes materials characterization, migration studies, antimicrobial essays and shelf life tests on real foods. The project aims at contributing to SDG and to build up expertise and tools which will represent added value for food companies. Within this PhD, a period of research to conduct in a foreign research institute (minimum 6 months, not necessarily consecutive), is planned.

Required skills: High motivation to build up and conduct research activities at the home institution and in international research teams. Critical view of drawbacks and results analysis, high capacity to communicate results orally and in preparing scientific reports.

 

1 (one) position with grant to be carried out mainly at the Agricultural University of Iceland (Iceland) on the following Research topic:

Title: Modelling Forage Production Costs and Timeliness Effects in Grassland Farming: Towards a Digital Twin for Decision Support
Scientific tutor: Jóhanna Gísladóttir
Hosting Institution: Agricultural University of Iceland (Iceland)

Forage production is a key component of ruminant livestock systems in northern agricultural regions and an important determinant of farm profitability. However, production costs vary considerably between farms due to differences in agronomic practices, machinery systems, labour organisation and weather conditions during harvest.

The aim of this PhD project is to develop a modelling framework for analysing forage production costs and assessing the economic effects of different management and mechanisation strategies in grassland farming. The project will integrate agronomic, technical and economic factors, linking crop production, harvesting and conservation, and feed use at farm level.

Particular attention will be given to timeliness effects in forage harvesting. Delays caused by adverse weather or limited machinery capacity may reduce forage quality and increase costs. The research will therefore evaluate how harvest timing, machinery capacity and labour organisation influence the cost-efficiency of forage production systems.

The project will also explore the potential for developing a Digital Twin approach for forage production systems, using farm records, weather data and economic parameters to simulate alternative strategies and support decision-making.

The expected outcome is a modelling and decision-support framework that improves understanding of cost formation in forage production and provides analytical tools for evaluating forage management strategies in grassland-based livestock systems.

Within this PhD, a period of research to be conducted at a foreign research institute or partner university (minimum 6 months, not necessarily consecutive) is envisaged.

Required skills: Strong motivation for research in agricultural systems, farm economics and modelling. Interest in grassland farming, machinery systems and decision-support tools. Good analytical skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

 

1 (one) position with grant to be carried out mainly at the Polytechnic University of Coimbra (Portugal) on the following Research topic:

Title: Participatory Plant Breeding Towards the Value Chain
Scientific Tutors: Pedro Mendes-Moreira, Enrico Francia
Hosting Institution: Polytechnic University of Coimbra (Portugal)

The European Commission's objectives for 2030 are to expand the area of organic farming to 25% and, at the same time, to ensure that 100% of seeds are of organic origin by 2036. In line with these objectives. Participatory research has been carried out on improving varieties for organic farming, as well as registering these varieties in the national catalogue. This promotes local adaptation and the use of some of these varieties in the development of the value chain. Portuguese ecogeographical diversity, while limiting upscaling, can be extremely important for the development of technicians who have a detailed understanding of the value chain and solid contribute to the economy of a region.

The thesis will be structured in three plus one (contingency plan - B) main research areas under VASO programme:

1) Under CERTRA Project, LIVESEEDING H2020 and previous projects we have been able to collect from farmers and breed landraces and synthetics. In 2025-2027 we will evaluate entries in two locations. Evaluation will use agronomic traits, and triadic evaluation (e.g. SEEDLINKED) will be also used with farmers.

2) During Participatory Maize Breeding, some maize germplasm have been distributed to farmers. During several years farmers have been selecting in their own location. Our intention is to understand what changed during selection. To do this we kept seeds from several years of selection under cold storage, and then we refreshed the seeds and made trials in farmers’ locations. 2025 seed refreshment, 2026-27 trials, writing in the last year. For the case of common beans selection for green beans is under F4.

3) Evaluate and propose governance strategy to support germplasm valorization to improve the chain value. As a key for fulfilling all the objectives, the project will be based on a multidisciplinary structure including quantitative genetics, data analysis tools, sociology. To guarantee the scheduled timeline, the activities will be organized in a work-package system. Several meetings will be held (e.g. field days, farmers results’ presentations and other initiatives that allow data collection).

B1) Maize evolution under SAFS (Successional Agroforestry Systems). Since 2019, SINPRE population has been breed under SAFS, it is our goal to make trials under agroforestry and organic too (2025) to measure selection gain. Tomato selection under SAFS.

B2) Microbiome analyses for germplasm comparison under conventional versus organic.

Within this PhD, a period of research to conduct in Portugal (Coimbra and Northern Portugal) a period of 6 months, not necessarily consecutive is planned for UNIMORE.

Required skills: High motivation to build up and conduct research activities at the home institution and in international research teams. Critical view of drawbacks and results analysis, high capacity to communicate results orally and in preparing scientific reports.

 

1 (one) position with grant to be carried out mainly at the University of Almeria (Spain) on the following Research topic:

Title: Use of genomic tools for breeding multi-stress resistance and fruit quality traits in zucchini.
Scientific Tutors: Manuel Jamilena, Cecilia Martínez.
Hosting Institution: University of Almeria (Spain)

The genus Cucurbita is hugely important in the global cultivation of pumpkins and squashes. Breeding for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses without compromising the nutritional and functional fruit quality will ensure the sustainability of the crop in the face of climate change challenges.  Our research group at UAL preserves more than 1,300 accessions of different Cucurbita species in the BSUAL seed bank and has also generated a TILLING population of more than 3,500 independent mutant lines in the line of C. pepo reference genome. These two sources of genetic variability will be used in this doctoral thesis to identify traits and genes that are of interest for zucchini breeding, including tolerances to biotic and abiotic stresses and nutritional and functional fruit quality traits. Genetic variability will be selected based on direct screenings, and agronomic traits of interest will subsequently be mapped by QTL-sequencing. The identified QTLs will not only serve to identify the genes responsible for the phenotype, but also to detect molecular markers useful for Cucurbita breeding. On the other hand, the database of more than 500,000 mutations from our TILLING-by-sequencing platform will be used to identify EMS mutations in genes related to genetic resistance to fungal and viral diseases, plant tolerance to salt stress, and functional fruit quality traits, including the accumulation of carotenoids. The phenotyping of the selected mutants will provide both the traits and the molecular markers for Cucurbita breeding, which will undoubtedly impact on crop sustainability in a climate change scenario.

Students will acquire comprehensive training in horticultural biotechnology, including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics, as well as related disciplines such as plant physiology and plant pathology. A period of research will be conducted in a foreign research institute other than UAL.

 

 

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