MSCA Fellow: Benjamin Mary

Want to know which connections actually link viticulture, atmospheric data and the plant root system?

Let's ask Benjamin, a French researcher and Unipd MSCA - Global Fellow who will move to Berkeley to work on geophysics applied to agronomy, and will then be heading back to Padua.

Benjamin completed his MA in Applied Geophysics (UPMC) and obtained his PhD in Environmental Geosciences at Aix-Marseille University in 2015.

Under the supervision of Prof. Giorgio Cassiani, Benjamin is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Geosciences of the University of Padua.

His project GROWING deals with the use of minimally invasive methods for root monitoring, with the specific aim of improving water use in arboriculture, viticulture and agronomy in general. During his MSCA, he will be in charge of the geophysical activities carried out at several field sites across the Mediterranean area (Italy, France, Tunisia, Morocco) and in California (USA).

Can you explain your project to us? What are the objectives of your research?

I’m Benjamin, I’m a French researcher working on geophysics applied to agronomy for viticulture purposes. My speciality is using geophysical data combined with plant and atmospheric data to understand plant root system functioning and its key role in water redistribution within the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.

Why did you choose to apply for an MSCA-IF? What do you think an MSCA-IF represents in a researcher’s career?

After 2 years as a postdoc, I was at the right stage to apply for an individual fellowship. It was very exciting to plan a 3-year project in which I would, at last, be the main contributor. More importantly, if your proposal is granted, it means it has been evaluated favourably and can open doors for your career after the end of the project.

Why did you choose to apply with University of Padua as Host Institution?

Choosing the University of Padua as my host institution was an obvious choice for me. I had been working here for the previous two years on a similar topic. It is always better to know the local environment and people. I actually applied for a Global Fellowship and, after my outgoing phase at Berkeley lab, I will be happy to come back to Italy and transfer my knowledge back to the University.

The University of Padua offers guidance to each applicant before, during and after the application. “Individual fellowship” does not mean that you have to handle everything by yourself. The key is to listen to people, trust your supervisor, seek support and ask questions.

What tips would you share with a researcher who is thinking of applying for an MSCA-IF?

Keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed in advance. I used my first rejection to improve my proposal, and that worked for me. Why shouldn’t it work for you?