Organisation/Company IRTA Department Human Resources Research Field Medical sciences » Veterinary medicine Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 6 Sep 2026 - 23:42 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
We are looking for a PhD candidate to join the Animal Health Program team, based in IRTA-CReSA (Bellaterra, Barcelona). We offer the opportunity to be part of an organization with a dynamic, collaborative work environment focused on professional development.
The selected candidate will join the Antimicrobial Stewardship Research Team working in a project funded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) with title " Development of a bacterial-phage consortium and advancing in faecal microbiota transplantation as alternative strategies to antimicrobials to prevent enteric diseases in weaned piglets ". The main objective of the project is to develop and validate an innovative bacterial-phage consortium (BacPhag) to modulate the intestinal microbiome and improve piglets' gut health. To achieve this, the project will integrate culturomics, microbial ecology, phage biology, advanced co-culture systems, multicellular porcine intestinal organoid models, and in vivo studies.
Key researchers for the position: Dr. Lourdes Migura-Garcia
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Perfom classical microbiology techniques, including culture media preparation, isolation of bacteria, minimal inhibitory concentration and in vitro co-culture experiments.
Development and optimise an anaerobic jejunal organoid model for host-microbiome co-culture experiments.




Prepare samples and sequencing libraries and contribute to the analysis and interpretation of high-throughput sequencing data.
Assist in the planning, execution and monitoring of in vivo experiments and conduct farm sampling activities when required.
Analyse and interpret experimental results and contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations and dissemination activities.
Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine and/or Master's degree in Biotechnology, Microbiology or similar with the fulfilment of the academic requirements to access a doctoral program in Spain.
Previous experience in microbiology and basic knowledge of experimental design and data analysis.
Knowledge of English.
Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree (PhD)
Experience in molecular techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, sequencing library preparation or flow cytometry.
Knowledge of high-throughput sequencing technologies and experience in whole-genome, microbiome or transcriptomic data analysis, with basic bioinformatics skills in Linux, R and/or Python.
Experience in organoids or animal models.
Languages (Catalan and Spanish).
Languages ENGLISH Level Good
Research Field Medical sciences » Veterinary medicine
Additional Information
Advantages of joining our team:
Contract: 4 years
First, second and third year of contract: 23.322,09€ gross per year




Fourth year of contract: 26.325,47€ gross per year
*Subject to the corresponding withholdings, pursuant to prevailing regulations, and to the collective employment agreement of IRTA
The doctoral grant provides up to 7.000€ in additional funding to cover:
Research stays of at least one month at other R&D; centres.
Tuition fees for the four years of the PhD programme.
37.5 hour workweek, with Friday afternoons off
Intensive work schedule from 15/06 to 15/09
3 days of family & work conciliation
45 hours of personal days
Adaptable Schedule for a good work-life balance.
Continuous training and professional growth opportunities.
Selected candidates must, at the time of signing the employment contract, provide documentation confirming either their admission to a doctoral programme or their enrolment in the programme.
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.
Selection process
Timings in the Recruitment 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: January 2027 (approximately)
The contract is part of project PID OB-C21, funded by MICIU/AEI/ / and by the European Social Fund Plus FSE+.
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📌 PhD Candidate in gut microbiome modulation (España)
🏢 IRTA
📍 España