PRR Project

Summary

Plant Protection in areas such as Agriculture and Forestry is crucial, particularly against pest and diseases. Plant Protection is also aligned with the SDGs and has substantial value to society, with contributions such as food security and nutrition and alleviating poverty. The Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment, and Development (MED), from University of Évora, is the R&D Unit leading the Associate Laboratory CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute. MED seek excellence in research through solid scientific and technological advances that create applied solutions for the sustainability of agroecosystems. As such, two of the main goals are: 1) improving resource use efficiency and competitive agriculture; 2) identifying pathways towards resilience and adaptation under known climate change scenarios. Both MED and CHANGE have a strong commitment to Sustainable Crop Production, therefore to plant protection, with growing relevance in face of the present and future climate change. In particular, CHANGE aims to bridge theory and practice and identify scientifically supported solutions for public policy and governance, targeting an environmentally friendly, resource-efficient and competitive economy. In this framework of a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable food system, in line with the Farm-to-Fork strategy, as a leading initiative of the European Green Deal, the study and development of solutions to deal with pests in a sustainable way, is warranted. Nematods are particularly important in agriculture, or in forestry (as the pine wood nematode, for the control of which different strategies have been imposed by the European Comission). Identifying the abundance and diversity of nematode assemblages is an essential tool to evaluate the ecological environmental changes on the agri-forest systems.The Nematology lab (Nemalab) inMED  develops strategic research in the area of phyto-parasitic nematodes that affect plants with important economic value for both the region and different European countries. This area is complementary to other areas of plant protection, and seen in MED as a strategic area which should be reinforced in order to provide science-based solutions to societal problems. For producers and for policy makers, nematode control is a growing challenge, and in consequence alsoa research opportunity, as producers need new and adaptive solutions that only cutting-edge research can produce. This need is translated in the growing number of requests for Nemalab services by external customersConsidering what was stated, an Assistant Researcher in plant pathology is required, with a particular focus in nematology. The candidate will develop work with different tasks, including:Research development in host-parasite interactions (plant-nematode interactions), nematode-bacteria interaction and other nematode-related topics with particular impact in agriculture;Implementing innovative approaches to enhance nematology research, staying up-to-date with advancements in the field, including the use of new techniques and technologies;Linking research to practice (between academia, society, enterprises and policy-makers), and identifying research needs and opportunities, as well as to transfer knowledge about the role of nematology research for sustainable agricultural practices;Participating in post-graduate formation and supervision of students (e.g. MSc and PhD students) in the area;To be involved in providing services in the area of agricultural plant pathology and nematology.The candidate needs to have experience in planning, writing and leading research and science transfer projects in the area of plant pathology and nematology. A strong background in molecular biology and different omics (genomics; metagenomics, and transcriptomics) of microbial communities under the scope of Plant Protection is required, to guarantee the implementation of innovative and competitive approaches, in the study of the mechanisms involved in Plant-Microbe Interactions and Nematode-Microbe Interactions associated with plant diseases.It is also important that the candidate demonstrates active search for collaborations with other researchers and institutions, as well as some experience in training and supervision of post-graduate students. Moreover, the candidate must have the capacity to engage with different stakeholders, including agricultural and phytopathology industries, policy-makers and researchers from other domains. Experience in providing services according to certified methodologies is also advantageous.