We are currently seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Animal Nutrition for the Centre for Innovation in Alternative Proteins (CiPA) to join our Animal Nutrition team located in Constantí (Tarragona), offering a great opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment within our organization.

CiPA is a pioneer research and innovation centre that aims to boost sustainable food production for both human and animal nutrition considering all relevant stages of the chain: starting from the source and ending with the consumer. Its research is focused on the valorisation of alternative protein sources with the ambition to become one of the research leaders, at national and international level and, thus, support the transition to a future with a high quality, safe, efficient, and more sustainable food production.
CiPA counts with unique equipment and infrastructures, at lab and pilot scale, located in the different IRTA centres (Monells, Mas Badia, Fruitcentre, Mas Bové, La Ràpita) covering research lines on plant-based, fermentation-based, algae-based, and insect-based biomasses.

We invite applications from motivated candidates with relevant research experience and passion to conduct research and innovation activities in sustainable insect farming, insect nutrition focused on the study of their nutritional requirements and the re-valorisation of by-products, the characterisation of the resulting insect meals as alternative feeds, and the application of feed processing and feed additives to optimize their use.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute new or on-going research projects in insect farming and nutrition, re-valorisation of by-products and the application of feed additives / alternative feed ingredients in insect and monogastric diets.
• Participation in fund raising for public competitive calls and for contracts with the private sector, as well reporting process.
• Communication and dissemination of research results to relevant stakeholders and policymakers.
• Promote relationships and communication with local stakeholders and the agricultural sector to identify opportunities and meet their requirements.
• Help positioning the Program as a group of excellence through regular peer-reviewed publications and contributions at national and international congresses.
• Supervision of PhD candidates.
• Get involved in the definition of future research strategies at Animal Nutrition Program.
• Fostering collaboration and integration within the CiPA.

Required qualifications and experience

• Ph.D. in Monogastric Nutrition background or related fields.
• Proved research skills: experience on literature review, experimental design and implementation, data analysis and scientific article writing.
• Dissemination skills: presentation/communication skills, and technical writing.
• Capacity to successfully develop collaborative with national and international research organizations, and the ability to interact closely with private companies.
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• Results-oriented, negotiation skills and communication abilities to build a network of relationships.
• Proficiency in English.

Desirable requirements

• Knowledge on insect farming and nutrition, the use of alternative proteins and feed processing.
• Expertise in methodological approaches to study nutritional requirements of animals.
• Expertise in methodological approaches to analyse nutritional feed quality, feed processing quality and parameters related with the effect of nutrition in performance, gut health, behaviour, meat quality and environmental impact.
• Experience on assessment of the effects of nutrition on performance, gut health, behaviour, meat quality and environmental impact.
• Statistical knowledge to analyze models related to animal science studies.
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Head of the Program: Dr Maria Devant.

           Program’s key researchers for this position: Dr David Torrallardona & Dr Núria Tous

• Terms of appointment: full-time position for 3 years
• 37.5 hour workweek, with Friday afternoons off
• Intensive work schedule from 15/06 to 15/09
• 22 vacation days
• 3 days of family & work conciliation
• 45 hours of personal days
• Flexible Schedule for a good work-life balance.
• Continuous training and professional growth opportunities.

Please know that if you are the chosen candidate and you are from a country which does not belong to the UE, IRTA’s People Department will support you to get the residence and working permits.

Instructions to Apply

If you wish to be considered for this position and believe you meet the requirements, please send your CV and motivation letter.

Equal treatment and opportunities are guaranteed for all candidates in the selection process, avoiding any stereotypes, attitudes, or obstacles based on gender, origin, age, ideology, or other potentially discriminatory conditions. Furthermore, commitments to the inclusion of vulnerable groups are considered, with priority given in the first round to disabled candidates.

Timings in the Recruitment Process

30 natural days: Publication and diffusion of the job advertisement on IRTA’s website and/or social media.

5 following working days: Distribution of the pre-selected CVs to the Recruitment Committee for their evaluation.

20 following working days: Interview and/or tests to the most suitable candidates based on the job position.

Start of contract: September 2025 (approximately)