PhD position on risk assessment for rice production

We are offering a 3- or 4-year PhD position to work on the EU-funded project System-based Environmental Risk Assessment (SYBERAC). This thesis will be supervised by Dr. Ana López-Antia from the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC). The project aims to enhance the sustainability of rice production by developing strategies to assess the risks of pesticides used in this crop on biota, employing bats and birds as sentinel organisms. To achieve this goal, we will assess both the direct effects produced by chemical exposure on bats and birds, as well as the indirect effects on populations resulting, for instance, from the reduction of food and habitat. Additionally, we will explore alternative management measures focused on reducing pesticide use and/or mitigating their effects while maintaining crop productivity.