The Institute and the Research Center

The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a non-profit research and educational institution with a strong scientific and technological orientation, emphasizing international collaborations, cross-disciplinary research, innovation, and post-graduate education. The CyI, through its established research centres, addresses societal challenges that are important at both the regional and international levels. Many of its research activities are being carried out in partnership with leading institutions in the respective thematic areas.

The Energy, Environment and Water Research Center (EEWRC) of The Cyprus Institute investigates societally relevant issues related to Energy and Renewables, Environment, Water and Natural Resources. The Center's Water Department works on novel monitoring techniques and numerical models of hydrologic and ecosystems’ processes; and the environmental and economic assessment of sustainable water and land management innovations for climate change adaptation and combatting desertification, considering the Water-Energy-Food Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus.

The Graduate School

The Graduate School was established in 2010 and is the educational arm of The Cyprus Institute. It is a fully accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education offering postgraduate programs exclusively. It maintains a small number of students that are fully integrated into the research activities of the Institute. This provides the students with the opportunity to acquire hands-on training in the use of the latest methods and techniques, have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and conduct research with internationally recognized research teams.

The successful applicant will be enrolled in the PhD program: Energy, Environment and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)

Description of the PhD Research Project / Position

The Water Department of the CyI’s Energy, Environment and Water Research Center is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated PhD candidate in the framework of the Safe-H2O-Farm Project on "Innovative farm strategies that integrate sustainable N fertilization, water management and pest control to reduce water and soil pollution and salinization in the Mediterranean". The project is part of the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) and involves research activities in five Mediterranean countries.

Olives are among the most climate-resilient crops in the Mediterranean basin. The sound management of treated sewage water for irrigation that considers the water's nitrogen content and the orchards water and nitrogen demand can enhance olive production and reduce environmental pollution. The overall goal of this PhD project is to improve irrigation and nutrient management practices in olive orchards that receive tertiary-treated sewage water. The PhD candidate will develop a research project around the use of innovative techniques to monitor and analyse soil, plant, water and meteorological variables in farmers' orchards, with support from colleagues of the CyI Water Department.

Required Qualifications

 - MSc degree in Agricultural or Environmental Sciences or a related field
 - Experience with field or laboratory research
 - Strong analytical and organizational skills
 - Fluent in oral and written English

Preferred Qualifications / Skills

 - Experience in laboratory analysis of soil and water chemistry
 - Background in plant physiology
 - Experience in working with stakeholders in the field
 - Scientific publication or presentation record
 - Greek language will be considered an advantage

Application Process

Applicants should refer to additional information about admission requirements which can be found on our website under the relevant PhD program admissions section.

Applications should be sent through the online application system of The Cyprus Institute Graduate School. When applying through the online application, in Step 2 of the application under the section: “Specific PhD Project” and they should enter the project reference code: GS-EAS-SINM-23-1 in order to be considered for the position.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for this project is August 23, 2024 (for applicants who do not need a visa). The positions will be filled immediately when suitable candidates are identified.

Financial Support

The successful candidate will be employed as Graduate Research Assistant or receive a stipend in accordance with the current regulations at the Graduate School. We offer competitive financial support with the exact salary / stipend level to will be confirmed upon appointment.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Associate Professor Adriana Bruggeman (e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). For more information about postgraduate studies at The Cyprus Institute and admission requirements, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies of The Cyprus Institute at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at tel: +357 22208614.