SUSBIOCROP MSCA Doctoral Network: 8 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Sustainable Biocomposites for Crop Protection (2026 Intake)

Applications are now open for the SUSBIOCROP Doctoral Training Network, a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funded program under the European Commission’s Horizon Europe framework. This international initiative is dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture through the development of innovative, eco-friendly biocomposite materials and technologies. The network offers 8 fully funded PhD positions for highly motivated early-stage researchers to tackle pressing challenges in crop protection, including fungal pathogens, pest control, plant immune enhancement, soil health improvement, drought mitigation, and abiotic stress resilience.

These interdisciplinary projects span key fields such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Agronomy, Environmental Science, and Plant Sciences, with a strong emphasis on biodegradable polymers, nanoparticles, hydrogels, RNAi technology, biostimulants, and biomimetic structures. The program promotes sustainable farming practices by creating alternatives to chemical pesticides and fertilizers, ensuring environmental safety, and boosting crop yield and resilience in the face of climate change.

Key Details

• Funding Body: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Horizon Europe)
• Number of Positions: 8 fully funded Doctoral Candidate (DC) positions
• Duration: 4 years (48 months full-time)
• Start Date: September 2026 (no later than)
• Degree Awarded: Double or joint doctoral degree from two partnering institutions
• Funding Type: Fully funded – includes competitive salary, mobility allowance, family allowance (if eligible), and full social security
• Research Fields: Sustainable agriculture, biomaterials, nanotechnology, RNAi biofungicides, plant immunity, pest control, soil improvement, seed coatings, mulch films
• Eligibility:
  • Open to all nationalities
  • Must not have a PhD at the time of recruitment
  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in relevant fields (e.g., Chemistry, Materials Science, Biotechnology, Agronomy)
  • MSCA Mobility Rule: No more than 12 months residence/main activity in the host country’s institution in the last 3 years
  • Strong English proficiency (assessed via motivation letter and interview)
• Application Deadline: January 30, 2026
• Application Fee: None
• Additional Benefits: International secondments, workshops, conferences, dual supervision, career development training, and commitment to diversity and equal opportunities

Program Highlights and Benefits

The SUSBIOCROP network brings together leading universities and research institutions from Europe (Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany) and beyond (Argentina, Brazil), along with industry partners. Each PhD candidate will:

• Receive dual supervision from experts at two institutions for diverse perspectives and resources.
• Participate in mandatory secondments (short research stays) at partner organizations for hands-on international experience.
• Engage in advanced training through workshops, seminars, summer schools, and conferences.
• Contribute to high-impact publications, presentations, and collaborations.
• Follow an open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment process (published on EURAXESS).

The consortium prioritizes gender balance, diversity, and inclusion, making it an ideal environment for researchers from underrepresented groups.

Also Check: Arts & Humanities Studentships at King’s College London (Fully Funded)

Available PhD Positions

Below is a detailed overview of the 8 positions. All include standard activities like report writing, publications, conference presentations, collaboration, training participation, and milestone monitoring.

DC1 – Soil-Plant-Invertebrate Nexus for Nanoparticle Safety Assessment

• Host Institution: University of Aveiro (Portugal)
• PhD Awarding Institutions: University of Aveiro & University of Valladolid (Spain)
• Project Focus: Develop cationic biodegradable polymer nanoparticles for dsRNA delivery against fungal pathogens (e.g., Fusarium spp.), assessing efficacy and environmental safety in soil-plant-invertebrate systems.
• Key Activities: Nanoparticle synthesis/characterization, dsRNA optimization, in vitro/in vivo antifungal tests, soil/microbiome/plant/invertebrate impact studies, ecotoxicology, field trials.
• Secondments: Spain, Portugal, USA (Momentive).
• Supervisors: Prof. Susana Loureiro & Dr. Jonatan Niño-Sánchez.

Also Check: Hardiman PhD Scholarship at University of Galway (Fully Funded)

DC2 – RNAi-Based Biofungicide Development Using Lipid Vesicles

• Host Institution: University of Valladolid (Spain)
• PhD Awarding Institutions: University of Valladolid & Wageningen University (Netherlands)
• Project Focus: Engineer extracellular vesicles for targeted dsRNA delivery to suppress Fusarium pathogens, creating stable RNA-based biofungicides.
• Key Activities: Vesicle functionalization, dsRNA encapsulation/stability testing, gene silencing validation, greenhouse/field trials.
• Secondments: Spain, Netherlands, industry partner.
• Supervisors: Dr. Jonatan Niño-Sánchez & Dr. Thomas Kodger.

Also Check: Khalifa University PhD Scholarships for Fall 2026

DC3 – Plant Protection Products for Enhanced Immune Response

• Host Institution: Université libre de Bruxelles (Belgium)
• PhD Awarding Institutions: ULB & Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (Argentina)
• Project Focus: Develop crosslinked nanoparticles from oxidized oligosaccharides and chitosan to stimulate plant immunity with minimal side effects.
• Key Activities: Synthesis/characterization, ratio optimization, persistence testing, defense response evaluation.
• Secondments: Belgium, Argentina.
• Supervisors: Dr. David Cannella & Prof. Vera Alejandra Alvarez.

Also Check: King Fahd University Graduate Scholarships for 2026-2027 Intake (Fully Funded)

DC4 – Development of Peptide-Based Biopesticides Targeting Symbiosis Control

• Host Institution: INSA Lyon (France)
• PhD Awarding Institutions: Université Claude Bernard Lyon (France) & UNESP (Brazil)
• Project Focus: Explore BCR peptides in aphids for symbiosis disruption, formulating nanoparticle-based biopesticides.
• Key Activities: Peptide mapping, role investigation, formulation/encapsulation, bioactivity testing in controlled environments.
• Secondments: France, Brazil.
• Supervisors: Dr. Pedro Da Silva & Dr. Leonardo Fraceto.

Also Check: Stipendium Hungaricum Doctoral Scholarship Programme 2026-2027

DC5 – A Physical, Sprayable, Biosourced Adhesive for Biotic Stress Reduction

• Host Institution: Wageningen University (Netherlands)
• PhD Awarding Institutions: Wageningen University & Université Claude Bernard Lyon (France)
• Project Focus: Create sprayable trichome-mimic particles for physical pest reduction and bioactive compound delivery.
• Key Activities: Particle formulation, pest/beneficial insect interactions, adhesion/release optimization, efficacy quantification.
• Secondments: Netherlands, France.
• Supervisors: Dr. Thomas Kodger & Dr. Pedro Da Silva.

Also Check: Stipendium Hungaricum Doctoral Scholarship Programme 2026-2027

DC6 – Biopolymer-Derived Hydrogels for Soil Moisture Retention and Quality Improvement

• Host Institution: INTEMA, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (Argentina)
• PhD Awarding Institutions: UNMdP & University of the Basque Country (Spain)
• Project Focus: Synthesize superabsorbent hydrogels with artificial humic substances for drought mitigation and soil enhancement.
• Key Activities: Hydrogel synthesis, property evaluation, plant/soil impact tests, prototype development.
• Secondments: Spain, Argentina.
• Supervisors: Prof. Vera Alejandra Alvarez & Dr. Haritz Sardon.

Also Check: ISTA PhD Program 2026 in Austria (Fully Funded)

DC7 – Improving Soil Quality and Sowing with Specialized Nutrient-Rich Biomimetic Seed Coatings

• Host Institution: University of Freiburg (Germany)
• PhD Awarding Institutions: University of Freiburg & University of the Basque Country (Spain)
• Project Focus: Design biobased seed coatings and “HybriBots” for better germination and stress protection.
• Key Activities: Humic substance integration, microfabrication, germination/resilience testing, soil interaction evaluation.
• Secondments: Spain, Germany.
• Supervisors: Dr. Isabella Fiorello & Dr. Danila Merino.

Also Check: Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2026: PhD Sandwich Program

DC8 – Development of Biodegradable and Biostimulant Mulch Films for Abiotic Stress Mitigation

• Host Institution: POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country (Spain)
• PhD Awarding Institutions: EHU & University of Aveiro (Portugal)
• Project Focus: Fabricate mulch films from biomass with seaweed biostimulants for crop resilience and soil health.
• Key Activities: Film design, biostimulant integration, decomposition/safety assessment, performance testing.
• Secondments: Spain, Argentina, Portugal.
• Supervisors: Dr. Danila Merino & Dr. Susana Loureiro.

Also Check: ANSO Scholarship 2026 (500 Fully Funded Opportunities in China)

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by January 30, 2026. Prepare your CV, motivation letter (demonstrating English proficiency), and any required documents (e.g., proof of residence history). The process is merit-based and transparent.