We are currently seeking a PhD Candidate to join our Animal Health Program team located in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), 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 role of the nasal microbiota for respiratory disease control in pigs.

The nasal microbiota has the potential to influence whether certain bacteria stay harmless or turn into harmful invaders. Our research aims to understand how the microbial community in piglets’ noses can impact the development of invasive diseases. Another question we want to answer is where the nasal microbiota is coming from and find out the best window of opportunity to manipulate ito for a better Health. By understanding the microbial balance in different conditions and niches, we are willing to uncover new ways to boost their natural defenses helping reduce antibiotic treatments in the farm.

Join us to contribute to a pioneering project with real-world impact and global relevance with the final goal of uncovering the role of the microbiota and exploit the power of it in promoting Health and create sustainable solutions for the future.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• The ones corresponding to a PhD student. The selected candidate will be enrolled at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and will need to fulfil the academic requirements of the PhD program.
• Team working is a must. The student will develop his/her thesis as part of a team at IRTA and in collaboration with other students in the group.
• Good communication skills in English. Spanish and Catalan are highly recommended.
• Write a PhD thesis and publish scientific papers on the grounds of the PhD project.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees: Bachelor in Biological or Computational sciences

a) A Master’s in Bioinformatics or Biological-related fields

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.
• Proficiency in English
• 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.
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.

Desirable requirements

• Linux and programming (python and/or other languages)
• Interest in infectious diseases
• Team working & love learning
• Talented and enthusiastic
• Persistance and resilience
• Good organizational skills
  
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Supervisor/s: Flor Correa
• 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

33 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 / First trimestre of 2026 (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.