We are currently seeking a Researcher in Monogastric Nutrition to join our Animal Nutrition team located in Mas Bové (Constantí, Tarragona), offering a great opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment within our organization.

We invite applications from motivated candidates with a PhD related to Animal Nutrition, a relevant research experience and a strong passion for conducting research and innovation in monogastric nutrition, with a particular focus on poultry.

Head of the Program: Dr Maria Devant

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Knowledge Generation: Conduct research to generate new knowledge addressing key challenges in monogastric nutrition—particularly poultry—through innovative nutritional strategies. Focus areas include improving feed efficiency, reducing environmental impact, integrating novel feed ingredients, and enhancing resilience to biotic and abiotic stressors.
• Research Execution: Actively contribute to the Animal Nutrition Program by planning and executing scientific and technical tasks, ensuring the timely achievement of research project milestones.
• Data & Literature Analysis: Perform comprehensive literature reviews, manage data collection, and conduct statistical analyses to support research objectives and validate findings.
• Scientific Output: Contribute to the scientific production of the Program by preparing research publications, technical reports, and other relevant outputs.
• Fundraising & Proposal Development: Lead and support fundraising efforts by preparing and submitting project proposals for public competitive calls and private sector collaborations. Assist in project reporting, including drafting progress and final reports.
• Innovation & Strategic Alignment: Identify and pursue opportunities for cutting-edge research and innovation that align with the strategic priorities of the Animal Nutrition Program.
• Team Collaboration: Promote a collaborative and team-oriented culture within the Animal Nutrition Program and the broader Animal Production Area, fostering integration and shared success.

Required qualifications and experience

• Ph.D. in Scientist with Monogastric Nutrition background or related fields applied to the monogastric (preferably) poultry animal nutrition with background in Agricultural Engineering, Veterinary Science, Animal Science or similar.
• Post-doctoral research experience.
• Proved research skills: experience on project proposal writing, literature review, experimental design and implementation, data analysis, scientific article writing.
• Dissemination skills: presentation/communication skills, and technical writing.
• Capacity to successfully develop collaborative research links with national and international research organizations, and the ability to interact closely with private companies. The successful candidate will be expected to attract funds from private and public sectors for research, interact with stakeholders.
• Contribute to the teamwork and team-spirit and foster and add to further collaboration and integration and manage staff and resources assigned to the research program.
• Develop a critical mass in the area, by interacting with the other researchers of the team and building a dynamic team of researchers, post-doctoral researchers(s) and post-graduate student.
• Proficiency of English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.

Desirable requirements

• Expertise in methodological approaches in nutrition poultry studies, in particular, to analyse enzymatic activity assays, in vitro and in vivo digestibility evaluation, and mineral metabolism.
• Experience on assessment of the effects of feed processing on feed quality and animal performance.
• Statistical knowledge to analyse models related to animal science studies.
• International postdoctoral experience.
• Catalan and Spanish are valued

Advantages of joining our team:

• Contract: permanent position or IRTA Consolida (tenure track) position, subject to the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.
• Annual Gross Salary: To be resolved according to the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate
• 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
• 6 days of remote work per month
• 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

75 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: Between late 2025 and early 2026 (approximately)