We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Animal Nutrition Program(insect rearing) and Aquaculture Program teams located in La Ràpita and 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 within two different research programs: Animal Nutrition (located in Constantí, Tarragona) and Aquaculture (located in La Ràpita, Tarragona).

The main objective of this PhD project is to provide the aquafeed sector with more sustainable alternative protein sources. To achieve this goal, the candidate will:

• Optimize the nutrition of Tenebrio molitor larvae using locally produced co-products;
• Modulate the nutritional composition and functional properties of T. molitor meals;
• Assess aquaponic wastes from vegetable production as a hydration source for T. molitor;
• Evaluate the impact of these nutrient sources on the nutritional composition of the final meals;
• Assess fish digestibility of the meals through in vivo nutritional trials;
• Establish the optimal inclusion level in rainbow trout diets; and
• Evaluate the functional properties of T. molitor meals in rainbow trout.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Performing literature review on the study topic.
• To execute research in Tenebrio molitor farming and nutrition, re-valorisation of by-products, assessing the nutritional quality of the insect meal and the application in fish diets (digestibility studies and immune properties).
• Farming, feed manufacturing, laboratory sample analyses, data collection and processing involving statistical analysis.
• Data presentation at national and international scientific congress.
• To publish scientific papers based on the PhD research project in high quality 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 a part of a team. 

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees:
  - A master’s in nutrition and metabolism, animal science, veterinary science/animal health, or similar.
  - 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.
• Proficiency in English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• 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.

Desirable requirements

• Demonstrate strong interest in insect rearing (farming and nutrition) and sustainable fish production.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability for flexible work (schedules and locations).
• Driving licence.
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Supervisor/s: Dr Enric Gisbert (aquaculture) and Dr Núria Tous (insect rearing)
• 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: Fourth 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.