We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Animal Nutrition team located in Constantí, offering a great opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment within our organization.

We invite applications from motivated candidates with passion and a strong interest in conducting research and innovation activities on the processing and evaluation (in vitro and in vivo) of alternative plant protein sources in poultry nutrition, health and impact on environment.

The project aims to identify alternative plant protein sources in monogastric diets, with the specific objectives:

• Nutritional characterization of dietary ingredients suitable to contribute to an efficient and sustainable animal production.
• Characterization of digestibility and antinutritional factors of alternative ingredients and new diets, and their effects on gut health (inflammation, intestinal morphology) and performance traits.
• Determination of optimal inclusion levels of exogenous enzymes (such as phytase, NSP-degrading enzymes (NSPase and protease) in new poultry diets, to improve the nutritional value of high fiber ingredients.
• Omics and meta-omics analysis to characterise host immune response and intestinal microbiota populations to test nutritional interventions to improve poultry health.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• To Perform literature review on the study topic.
• To manage field duties (animal facility and feed mill), laboratory sample analyses, perform data collection and processing involving statistical analysis.
• To present data at international scientific congress.
• To publish scientific papers based on the PhD research project in peer-reviewed journals.
• To contribute to the scientific production of the research and innovation activities of the research line of IRTA.
• To collaborate in other projects as part of a team.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees:
  a) A master’s in nutrition and metabolism, animal science, veterinary science/animal health, or similar.
  b) To be in a position to access a doctoral programme according to the requirements of Catalan universities, i.e. accrediting between 60 and 120 ECTS credits at the official university master's degree level or equivalent.
• Not to have a previous PhD degree.
• Candidates who have been chosen for an interview with the Selection Committee, should bring or send –for the interview- a certified copy of the degree and/or master, as well as the academic record showing the marks of all subjects studied. 
• Proficiency in English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.

Desirable requirements

• Demonstrate experience in matters of animal nutrition and Welfare.
• Strong interest and basic knowledge in animal nutrition, management, gut health, welfare and sustainable production mainly in poultry but also in swine.
• Strong interest and basic knowledge in nutrient digestibility, feed enzyme applications in monogastric animals and concepts in omnics.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability for flexible work (schedules and locations).
• Driver licence
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Supervisor/s: Drs Mohamed Neijat and Joan Tarradas
• Terms of appointment: 4 years
• Contract: The financial remuneration for the PhD Candidate contract will be €1,363.10/gross per month (19,083.40./gross per annum) and for the first and second years. For this third year, it will be €1,460.46/gross per month (€20,446.44/gross per annum) and for the fourth year it will be €1,825.58/gross per month (€25,558.12/gross per annum) which will be subject to the corresponding withholdings, pursuant to prevailing regulations, and to the collective employment agreement of IRTA. IRTA will also pay the fees of the doctoral school when receiving the enrolment. (1)
• 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: Third trimestre of  2025 (approximately)

⁽¹⁾ The financial remuneration of the PhD Candidate contract may not be less than 56% of the salary established for the category of Research Collaborator F of the Collective Agreement of the IRTA during the first two years, 60% in the third year and 75% in the fourth.