Biological sciences » Laboratory animal science
Organisation/Company IRTA Department Human Resources Research Field Biological sciences » Laboratory animal science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 4 Oct 2026 - 23:46 (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 motivated PhD candidate to join the Animal Breeding and Genetic and Animal Welfare teams, based in Torre Marimon (Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona) and Monells (Girona), respectively. 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 a multidisplinary research project funded by the Spanish State Research Agency: "ProBioPig - Study of microbial transmission and modulation of the Immune-Gut-Brain axis through microbial interventions to enhance pigs' resilience and welfare".
The PhD candidate will join Subproject 1, focused on determining how beneficial gut bacteria consortia can be used to improve pig performance and welfare, and on characterizing the transmission of the maternal microbiome to the offspring and its links with behaviour, immunity, and multi-omics signatures
Key researchers for the position: Dr. Yuliaxis Ramayo-Caldas and Dr. Antoni Dalmau Válido (Subproject 1 Co-Principal Investigators)
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Maintain and update records of animal husbandry, sampling schedules, and experimental data across the different studies (behavioural, feeding, microbiome) conducted at IRTA's experimental farm in Monells.
Coordinate and execute the on-farm experimental studies, including animal handling, the social stress model, and faecal, blood and tissue sampling.




Provide bioinformatic and statistical support for the analysis of shotgun metagenomics, metaproteomics, and targeted metabolomics data.
Assist in the behavioural, cognitive and learning tests (hierarchy, open field, spatial memory and cognitive bias tests) performed on pigs.
Manage and integrate multi-omics datasets (microbiome, metabolome, metaproteome) with host phenotypic records using multivariate and machine-learning approaches.
Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Required qualifications and experience
MSc degree in Animal Welfare, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Biomedicine or a related field
Previous experience in animal experimentation and handling, preferably with pigs or other livestock species
Knowledge of statistical data analysis and bioinformatics (R and/or Python)
Teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
Willingness to carry out on-farm fieldwork under variable conditions (early mornings, direct animal handling)
Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree (PhD)
PhD-oriented training or coursework in bioinformatics, genomics or biostatistics
Experience in next-generation sequencing data analysis (e.g., metagenomics) and/or multi-omics data integration
Knowledge of programming/scripting languages such as R, Python or Unix/Linux environments
Skills in animal behaviour and welfare assessment methods
Ability to work independently and manage several tasks simultaneously in a multidisciplinary environment
Catalan and Spanish are valued.
Languages ENGLISH Level Good
Additional Information




Advantages of joining our team:
Contract: 4 years
Salary in 14 payments:
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
Flexible 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+.
#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 PhD Candidate in Harnessing the gut microbiome and maternal transmission to enhance pig welfare and performance (España)
🏢 IRTA
📍 España