We are currently seeking a Researcher in bivalve health management and diseases for the Aquaculture Program to join our Aquaculture Program team located in La Ràpita (Tarragona), offering a great opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment within our organization.

The research will be embedded in a multidisciplinary environment, oriented research towards solving problems and creating innovative approaches and solutions for shellfish species, both of commercial and environmental importance. The researcher will also interact with other IRTA’s research programs which are focused on environmental monitoring, food safety and epidemiological studies. The researcher will focus on diagnostics, epidemiology, functional in vivo and in vitro studies, and risk analysis of relevant pathogens (listed, non-listed and emergent), affecting Mediterranean shellfish species.

The Program is currently integrated by seven permanent researchers who cover research and contractual activities across all main disciplines of aquaculture (nutrition, reproduction, health, welfare, zootechnics...), mainly focused on Mediterranean aquatic species of both production and biodiversity relevance, we work under a perspective of climate change threats and One Health context. IRTA La Ràpita is a centre fully dedicated to aquaculture and aquatic environment. It features comprehensive state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories, as well as research boats that allow coverage of both the nearby bays and the Ebro River. It is also a Aquacuclutre Demostrative Center on REstorative Aquaculture under the support of the GFCM-FAO.

Head of the Program: Dr Enric Gisbert

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Lead shellfish health surveillance studies and conduct comprehensive investigations of disease outbreaks and mortality events in regional aquaculture facilities and natural banks.
• Identify public calls and apply for funding (national and international call) and execute research on historical and current aquatic diseases affecting shellfish species of interest and public health.
• Engaged with the shellfish sector—both producers and administrations—in collaborative work to assist and address surveillance and investigations of shellfish pathological outbreaks.
• Active collaboration with IRTA’s research, incorporating the aquatic health component, providing diagnostic, functional test and risk analysis tools for their projects and contracts linked to shellfish.
• Promote fluid and transparent communication and dissemination regarding research results, both internally and externally, including relevant stakeholders and policymakers. While honouring the on-going confidentiality agreements signed.
• Promote excellency and high impact in scientific and technological projects outputs.
• Contribute to the scientific development and strategic projection of IRTA.
• Actively contribute to the positioning of the aquaculture Program, as a group of excellence, through regular peer-reviewed publications, contributions at national and international congresses, participation in national and international expert’s committees and research forums.
• Supervise graduate and postgraduate students, direct PhD thesis.
• Promote and supervised permanent training of the technical staff.
• Strengthen collaborative research between IRTA and other national and international research groups in the framework of aquatic shellfish health.
• Applied, maintain, and updated the diagnostic gold standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the Animal Health Law of the European commission and the corresponding at national and regional level.
• Act as IRTA’s research representative in front of the competent heath authorities and reference laboratories regarding disease reporting on diagnostic and case studies.
• Responsibility for the correct maintenance, updating and improvement of the pathology database and registry of the program (meta data, histological specimens’ collection, bacterial strain collection, diagnostic SOP’s, etc).

Required qualifications and experience

• PhD in aquatic microbiology, marine biology, biotechnology or equivalent.
• Proven post-doctoral experience in the research field of aquatic health, including international experience.
• Strong expertise in microbiology, including microbial epidemiology and functional studies of pathogens and host interactions, as well as histology and molecular diagnostic tools. Strong expertise in microbiology, histology and molecular diagnostic tools.
• Familiarity with invertebrate biology with particular emphasis in bivalve molluscs.
• Familiarity with life cycles, hosts, and diagnostics of notable bivalve pathogens such as Oyster Herpes, Marteilia sp., Bonamia sp., and Perkinsus sp.
• Expertise in communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Experience with scientific writing and leading project proposals.
• Demonstrate an attractive publication record and participation in funded projects.
• Strong organizational capability and ability to learn and successfully work within multidisciplinary teams.
• Dissemination skills: solid presentation/communication skills, scientific (peer-reviewed journals) and technical writing skills.
• Availability for travelling.
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• Proficiency in Spanish and English.

Desirable requirements

• Leadership and collaborative skills.
• Sound knowledge on legislation related to aquatic health (One Health) and the stakeholders involved at private, research and official level (competent authorities).
• Network of active collaborations in research and development at a national and/or international.
• Receptive to challenges, ability to align the professional objectives and institutional priorities and strategy.
• Driving licence type B.
• Catalan language is 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
• 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
• Remote work 6 workdays 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 submit your application through the form available at the bottom of this page.

Equal treatment and equal opportunities are guaranteed for all candidates in the selection process, avoiding stereotypes, bias or barriers linked to gender, sexual orientation, origin, age, ideology, or any other potentially discriminatory condition. The organization also ensures inclusion commitment toward vulnerable groups, and the first round of the selection process is reserved for candidates with functional diversity.

Selection Process:

Curricular assessment: The candidate’s qualifications and merits will be evaluated according to the criteria established in the job offer.

 Interview(s): These will be conducted by a Selection Committee to assess the candidate’s suitability in terms of professional experience and competencies.

Additional tests (if applicable): Depending on the position profile and the needs of the process, specific competency-based tests and/or a psychometric test may be included in order to more accurately assess the suitability of the candidates.

Start of contract: first trimester of 2026(approximately)