Recuitring institution

University of Aveiro (UAveiro, Portugal)

PhD enrolment (double degree)

UAveiro & University of Valladolid (UVa, Spain)

Expected Start Date

September 2026

Duration

48 months

Project overview

DC1 will investigate the development, performance, and environmental safety of novel
cationic biodegradable polymer nanoparticles (NPs) designed for dsRNA delivery to improve crop protection against fungal pathogens. The project focuses on understanding how these nanocomposites behave in complex soil–plant–invertebrate systems, ensuring both efficacy and environmental compatibility.

Main activities

• Develop and characterize innovative cationic biopolymer NPs and nanoclay composites
  with different crosslinkers.
  
• Optimize dsRNA encapsulation, protection, and controlled release to achieve long-lasting
  antifungal effects, particularly against Fusarium spp.
  
• Assess antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo to validate the effectiveness of the NPs.
  
• Evaluate NP behaviour in soil, impacts on the microbiome, plant health responses, and
  effects on a model detritivore invertebrate.
  
• Perform ecotoxicological assessments and field trials to confirm environmental safety and performance under real agricultural conditions.
  
• Writing scientific reports, manuscripts, and contributing to publications.
  
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
  
• Collaborating with research teams and external partners.
  
• Participating in advanced courses, workshops, and seminars relevant to the research field.
  
• Planning and monitoring research objectives and milestones.

Training and secondments

The fellow will undertake secondments at:

University of the Basque Country (EHU, Spain): Development of nanoparticles and composites.
University of Valladolid (UVa, Spain): Loading of dsRNA onto particles and evaluation of nanoparticle efficacy against fungal pathogenicity.
University of Aveiro (UAveiro, Portugal): Ecotoxicity assessment.
Momentive (USA): Field application of selected materials to assess performance and effectiveness in agricultural conditions.

The doctoral degree will be jointly awarded by UAveiro and UVa, under
the supervision of Prof. Susana Loureiro (UAveiro) and Dr. Jonatan Niño-Sánchez (UVa).

Recuitring institution

University of Valladolid (UVa, Spain)

PhD enrolment (double degree)

UVa & Wageningen University (WU, The Netherlands)

Expected Start Date

September 2026

Duration

48 months

Project overview

DC2 will design and optimize innovative lipid vesicle carriers for the targeted delivery of
dsRNA molecules to control Fusarium pathogens. By integrating extracellular vesicle
engineering with surface proteomics and RNAi technology, this project aims to develop a
stable, protective, and highly specific RNA-based biofungicide capable of suppressing fungal
growth and pathogenicity in crops.

Main activities

• Engineer extracellular vesicles functionalized with affinity particles that specifically
  recognize proteins on the surface of Fusarium pathogens (F. graminearum and F.
  oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici).
• Encapsulate dsRNA molecules within these vesicles and optimize the formulation to ensure
  stability and protection against environmental degradation (UV light, temperature, enzymes,
  spray stress).
• Characterize the physicochemical properties of the vesicles and evaluate dsRNA loading
  efficiency, stability, and controlled release under realistic agricultural application conditions.
• Demonstrate effective gene silencing of essential and virulence-related genes in target
  Fusarium species, and assess the resulting impact on fungal growth and pathogenicity.
• Test the most promising vesicle-based formulations in greenhouse and field conditions to
  validate their performance as RNAi-based biofungicides.
• Writing scientific reports, manuscripts, and contributing to publications.
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Collaborating with research teams and external partners.
• Participating in advanced courses, workshops, and seminars relevant to the research field.
• Planning and monitoring research objectives and milestones.

Training and secondments

The fellow will undertake secondments at:

University of Valladolid (UVa, Spain): Design, production, and dsRNA loading of extracellular vesicles.
Wageningen University (WU, The Netherlands): Stability analysis of encapsulated dsRNA under different environmental conditions.
GreenLight Biosciences Spain (Spain): Field testing of vesicle-based formulations for control of Fusarium pathogens in agricultural settings.

The doctoral degree will be jointly awarded by UVa and WU, under the supervision of Dr. Jonatan Niño-Sánchez (UVa) and Dr. Thomas Kodger (WU).

Recuitring institution

Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB, Belgium)

PhD enrolment (double degree)

ULB & Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP, Argentina)

Expected Start Date

September 2026

Duration

48 months

Project overview

DC3 will design and develop next-generation plant protection products based on oxidized
cellulose and hemicellulose oligosaccharides combined with chitosan-oligos, using covalent
crosslinking and aggregate formation to create stable, bioactive particles. These
formulations aim to enhance plant immune responses and bio-stimulatory activity, while
minimizing negative side effects such as growth retardation. By fine-tuning the combination
of elicitors and improving formulation stability, this project seeks to deliver more efficient
and sustainable crop protection solutions.

Main activities

• Synthesize and characterize oxidized cellulose and hemicellulose oligosaccharides as key
  elicitor components.
• Develop covalently crosslinked hybrid nanoparticles incorporating chitosan-oligos to
  stabilize the active compounds while preserving their favorable diffusion properties.
• Optimize the ratio and structure of elicitors to maximize plant immune stimulation and
  bioactivity while minimizing undesirable physiological effects.
• Evaluate the persistence and degradation resistance of the developed formulations under
  realistic environmental conditions, including foliar application scenarios.
• Assess the ability of the formulations to trigger robust plant defense responses by
  extending their retention on foliage and improving elicitor availability.
• Writing scientific reports, manuscripts, and contributing to publications.
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Collaborating with research teams and external partners.
• Participating in advanced courses, workshops, and seminars relevant to the research field.
• Planning and monitoring research objectives and milestones.

Training and secondments

Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB, Belgium): Preparation and characterization of oxidized cellulose and hemicellulose oligosaccharides, and evaluation of plant elicitation effects of the developed systems.
Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP, Argentina): Development and characterization of nanoparticles covalently bonded with chitosan oligosaccharides.

The PhD will be awarded jointly by ULB and UNMdP, under the supervision of Dr. David Cannella (ULB) and Prof. Vera Alejandra Alvarez (UNMdP).

Recuitring institution

INSA Lyon (France)

PhD enrolment (double degree)

Université Claude Bernard Lyon (UCBL, France) & Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP, Brazil)

Expected Start Date

September 2026

Duration

48 months

Project overview

DC4 will investigate Bacteriocyte-specific Cysteine Rich (BCR) peptides in aphids to
understand their role in symbiosis regulation and explore their use as peptide-based
biopesticides. The project aims to develop polymer nanoparticle formulations for slow
release and targeted delivery, enhancing efficacy while supporting sustainable pest control.

Main activities

• Map the tissue and subcellular localization of BCR peptides in aphids across developmental
  stages.
• Investigate the role of BCR peptides in bacteriocyte differentiation and regulation of
  symbiotic bacterial growth.
• Develop stable peptide-based biopesticide formulations and encapsulate them into
  polymer nanoparticles.
• Optimize release properties and stability to maximize targeted efficacy.
• Test bioactivity under controlled conditions, including phytotron and greenhouse
  experiments.
• Writing scientific reports, manuscripts, and contributing to publications.
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Collaborating with research teams and external partners.
• Participating in advanced courses, workshops, and seminars relevant to the research field.
• Planning and monitoring research objectives and milestones.

Training and secondments

The fellow will undertake secondments at:

INSA Lyon (France): Development of peptide-based biopesticides targeting aphid symbiosis, and efficacy testing of selected formulations under controlled conditions.
Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP, Brazil): Encapsulation of BCR peptides.

The PhD will be awarded jointly by UCBL and UNESP, under the supervision of Dr. Pedro Da Silva (INSA Lyon) and Dr. Leonardo Fraceto (UNESP).

Recuitring institution

Wageningen University (WU, The Netherlands)

PhD enrolment (double degree)

WU & Université Claude Bernard Lyon (UCBL, France)

Expected Start Date

September 2026

Duration

48 months

Project overview

DC5 will develop biosourced trichome-mimic particles that can be sprayed onto horticultural
crops lacking natural trichomes, providing a physical method to reduce biotic stress. The
project aims to optimize these particles for adhesion, targeted pest control, and slow-
release delivery of bioactive compounds, while integrating with existing pest management
strategies.

Main activities

• Formulate sprayable biosourced adhesive particles with dimensions suited for specific pest
  insects.
• Investigate interactions between trichome mimics, pests, and beneficial insects.
• Optimize physicochemical properties to enhance adhesive contact with pest footpads and
  enable slow-release delivery of volatile bioactive compounds.
• Develop methods to quantify particle efficacy and monitor the release of bioderived
  volatiles on whole plant leaves.
• Assess performance under realistic horticultural conditions to validate efficacy.
• Writing scientific reports, manuscripts, and contributing to publications.
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Collaborating with research teams and external partners.
• Participating in advanced courses, workshops, and seminars relevant to the research field.
• Planning and monitoring research objectives and milestones.

Training and secondments

The fellow will undertake secondments at:

Wageningen University (WU, The Netherlands): Development of trichome mimics, analysis of adhesive interactions with pest insects, and study of volatile compound release in horticultural settings.
INSA Lyon (France): Investigation of interactions between trichome mimics and sap-sucking aphids.

The PhD will be awarded jointly by WU and UCBL, under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Kodger (WU) and Dr. Pedro Da Silva (UDL).

Recuitring institution

INTEMA-Universidad del Mar de Plata (UNMdP, Argentina)

PhD enrolment (double degree)

UNMdP & University of the Basque Country (EHU, Spain)

Expected Start Date

September 2026

Duration

48 months

Project overview

DC6 will develop biodegradable superabsorbent hydrogels from natural polymers,
incorporating artificial humic substances (AHS) to enhance water retention, plant growth, and soil quality. The project aims to create sustainable hydrogels that gradually release water to crops, mitigate drought stress, and improve soil health while remaining environmentally safe.

Main activities

• Synthesize and characterize hydrogels from natural polymers (e.g., sodium alginate,
  chitosan) and AHS.
• Evaluate hydrogel swelling, water retention, release properties, and degradation kinetics in different soils.
• Assess hydrogel effects on plant growth, drought tolerance, and crop yield under
  laboratory and field conditions.
• Optimize hydrogel formulations for various plant species and soil types to ensure broad agricultural applicability.
• Generate field-ready prototypes for sustainable water management and soil improvement.
• Writing scientific reports, manuscripts, and contributing to publications.
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Collaborating with research teams and external partners.
• Participating in advanced courses, workshops, and seminars relevant to the research field.
• Planning and monitoring research objectives and milestones.

Training and secondments

The fellow will undertake secondments at:

University of the Basque Country (EHU, Spain): Preparation and characterization of AHS for incorporation into superabsorbent hydrogels.
INTEMA (Argentina): Development and optimization of AHS-infused hydrogels.
UNIBAIO (Spain): Testing hydrogels’ effects on soil quality, plant growth, and drought resilience in laboratory and field trials.

EHU (Spain) and INTEMA, UNMdP (Argentina). The PhD will be jointly awarded by UNMdP and EHU, under the supervision of Prof. Vera Alejandra Alvarez (INTEMA, UNMdP) and Dr.
Haritz Sardon (EHU).

Recuitring institution

University of Freiburg (UFR, Germany)

PhD enrolment (double degree)

UFR & University of the Basque Country (EHU, Spain)

Expected Start Date

September 2026

Duration

48 months

Project overview

DC7 will develop fully biobased, nutrient-rich seed coatings from renewable biomass,
incorporating stress-protectant compounds and artificial humic substances (AHS) to
enhance germination and resilience against abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and
temperature fluctuations. Using advanced microfabrication techniques, the biomass
formulations will be shaped into “HybriBots”, biodegradable plant-inspired structures
designed for precision seed delivery and improved establishment.

Main activities

• Prepare AHS and integrate them with biomass-derived composites for seed coating
  optimization.
• Fabricate HybriBots using microfabrication methods including two-photon lithography,
  bioprinting, and micro-molding.
• Test seed germination, plant growth, and resilience under controlled phytotron and
  greenhouse conditions.
• Evaluate the impact of coated seeds on soil quality, nutrient delivery, and plant-soil-
  invertebrate interactions.
• Optimize formulations for broad agricultural applicability and enhanced crop performance.
• Writing scientific reports, manuscripts, and contributing to publications.
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Collaborating with research teams and external partners.
• Participating in advanced courses, workshops, and seminars relevant to the research field.
• Planning and monitoring research objectives and milestones.

Training and secondments

The fellow will undertake secondments at:

University of the Basque Country (EHU, Spain): Preparation of AHS from biomass sources and integration with biomass-derived composites for seed coating development.
University of Freiburg (UFR, Germany): Design and microfabrication of self-dispersing biohybrid robots inspired by plant fruits, and testing seed germination and plant growth in greenhouse conditions.
University of Aveiro (UAveiro, Portugal): Analysis of the impact of seed coatings on the plant-soil-invertebrate nexus.

EHU (Spain) and UFR (Germany). The PhD will be jointly awarded by UFR and EHU, under the supervision of Dr. Isabella Fiorello (livMatS, UFR) and Dr. Danila Merino (EHU).

Recuitring institution

POLYMAT-University of the Basque Country (EHU, Spain)

PhD enrolment (double degree)

EHU & University of Aveiro (UAveiro, Portugal)

Expected Start Date

September 2026

Duration

48 months

Project overview

DC8 will develop biodegradable mulch films, including liquid formulations, derived from
plant and marine biomass, incorporating seaweed-derived biostimulants to enhance crop
growth and resilience against abiotic stresses such as drought and soil temperature
fluctuations. The project also focuses on ensuring soil compatibility and environmental
safety while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Main activities

• Design and fabricate biodegradable solid and liquid mulch films from renewable biomass
  sources.
• Integrate seaweed-derived biostimulants to improve plant growth, stress tolerance, and
  soil quality.
• Assess decomposition rates and ensure films degrade into environmentally benign
  byproducts.
• Evaluate the impact of mulch films on plant growth, soil health, and the soil–plant–
  invertebrate nexus.
• Test mulch film performance under controlled and field conditions to validate crop
  resilience benefits.
• Writing scientific reports, manuscripts, and contributing to publications.
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Collaborating with research teams and external partners.
• Participating in advanced courses, workshops, and seminars relevant to the research field.
• Planning and monitoring research objectives and milestones.

Training and secondments

The fellow will undertake secondments at:

University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU, Spain): Development and characterization of mulch films.
UNIBAIO (Spain): Testing mulch films on plants under abiotic stress to assess performance and impact on crop resilience.
University of Aveiro (UAveiro, Portugal): Safety and ecological testing of mulch films.

EHU (Spain), UNIBAIO (Argentina), and University of Aveiro (Portugal). The PhD will be jointly awarded by EHU and UAveiro, under the supervision of Dr. Danila Merino (POLYMAT, EHU) and Dr. Susana Loureiro (UAveiro).