Offer Description

We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to join the Animal Breeding and Genetic and Animal Welfareteams, 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 Bueno (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.

Where to apply Website

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences » Laboratory animal science 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)
- Fluid English
- 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)

Desirable requirements

- 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

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology

Additional Information

Benefits

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
- 23 vacation days
- 3 days of family & work conciliation
- 45 hours of personal days
- Remote work 6 workdays per month
- 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 PID2025-172306OB-C21, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Social Fund Plus FSE+.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute IRTA Country Spain State/Province Catalonia City Caldes de Montbui Geofield

Contact State/Province

Barcelona City

Caldes de Montbui Website

Street

Torre Marimon Crta. C-59, Km. 12,1 Postal Code

08140

STATUS: EXPIRED

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📌 PhD Candidate in Harnessing the gut microbiome and maternal transmission to enhance pig welfare and performance (Caldes de Montbui)
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