We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Animal Health and Animal Breeding and Genetics team located in Bellaterra and Caldes de Montbui, 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 advancing animal welfare and health through data-driven approaches.

The selected candidate will focus on the analysis of high-frequency time-series data to characterize animal responses and recovery patterns following various disturbances—environmental, health-related, or social. This research aims to develop early warning systems for disease and welfare issues, as well as novel indicators of resilience in pigs.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Conduct original research leading to the completion of a PhD thesis and the publication of scientific articles based on the project results.
• Perform comprehensive literature reviews, data collection, data management, statistical analyses, and data visualization.
• Develop data-driven tools (warnings) to support decision-making in the prevention and control of pig diseases and welfare issues.
• Contribute actively to the scientific output and progress of the research line.
• Foster collaboration and maintain a positive, team-oriented working environment within the research group.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees: Mathematics, Statistics, Genetics, Biotechnology or Science-related field; or

      a) A Master’s in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, (Bio)statistics, Animal Breeding   and Genetics, or disciplines related to data analysis and computation, 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

• Strong motivation to work with diverse data types in an applied research setting focused on animal health and welfare.
• Prior experience with data management, big data processing, or real-time data streams (e.g., from sensors or farm monitoring systems) is a plus.
• Understanding of statistical data analysis and data visualization techniques, as well as machine learning methods and their application to biological and epidemiological data.
• Experience or familiarity with epidemiology, syndromic surveillance, and/or animal health research will be highly valued.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present research findings clearly to both scientific and non-specialist audiences.
• Willingness and ability to learn new methods, tools, and concepts as required by the project.
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Supervisor/s: Beatriz Garcia-Morante and Miriam Piles
• 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.