We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Postharvest Program team located in Lleida, 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 production of protein sources based on chickpea fermentation and development of 3D functional food products aimed at elderly population at risk of malnutrition. (AGELIKEAPRO).

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Conduct an in-depth literature review and compile relevant scientific knowledge on chickpea fermentation strategies (fungi, yeasts, and bacteria) for sustainable protein production and functional ingredient development.
• Design and implement experiments to optimize fermentation processes for the generation of protein-rich chickpea ingredients.
• Screen different microbial strains and fermentation conditions to enhance protein yield, nutritional value, and techno-functional properties.
• Characterize the obtained ingredients in terms of composition (protein, fiber, bioactive compounds), nutritional quality (amino acid profile, digestibility, antioxidant capacity) and techno-functionality (rheology, solubility, foaming, emulsifying, gelling).
• Develop and optimize 3D food formulations and plant-based instant meals using chickpea-based protein ingredients, focusing on texture, stability, and printability.
• Design personalized 3D-printed food and plant-based instant meals prototypes targeted at elderly individuals at risk of malnutrition, ensuring ease of chewing/swallowing, nutritional adequacy, and sensory acceptance.
• Conduct testing of product prototypes to evaluate texture, palatability, and consumer acceptance, with special attention to the needs of elderly populations.
• Collect, manage, and analyze experimental data, and contribute to scientific publications, project deliverables, and dissemination activities.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees:

a) A Master’s in Food Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Food Engineering 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

Desirable requirements

• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• Some prior experience in laboratory work related to food analysis and, in particular, plant-based food processes and developments.
• Participation in academic projects or collaborations with industry or research institutions
• Knowledge of data analysis software (eg. Excel, JMP, R, or similar)
• Strong writing skills and previous participation in scientific communication
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Supervisor/s: Dr. I. Aguiló and Dr. M. Abadias
• 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

25 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: Last 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.

El contrato es parte de la ayuda PID2024-158526OB-C31, financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y por el FSE+