Organisation/Company IRTA Department Human Resources Research Field Medical sciences » Veterinary medicine Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 21 Oct 2026 - 23:54 (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 of IRTA, based in 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 Research line dedicated to Endemic respiratory diseases and AMR, within a national research project funded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) dedicated to study markers from the pathogens, the nasal microbiota and the host (the pig) to determine the predisposition of the animal to develop disease.

Key researchers for the position: Virginia Aragón, Florencia Correa-Fiz and Marina Sibila

Tasks and Responsibilities:

- Enroll in a PhD program and fulfill the academic requirements established by the University for the award of a PhD degree.
- Coordinate and execute the activities associated with the PhD project to be defined in consultation with the PhD supervisors.
- Participate actively in the activities performed by the research group (group meetings, seminars,..)
- Provide regular updates to the PhD supervisors on the progress of the work performed.
- Assist with routine tasks necessary for the proper functioning of the laboratory and other facilities used by the candidate and the research group.




- Write a PhD thesis and publish scientific papers on the grounds of the PhD project.
- Master's degree or equivalent qualification in a biological science, including Microbiology, Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology, or a related field.
- Candidates must be eligible for admission to a doctoral program at a Catalan university and must not already hold a PhD degree.
- Interest in Microbiology and infectious diseases.
- Strong teamwork skills and ability to take initiative and to independently drive research projects.
- Good analytical and organizational capacities.
- Good level of English, both spoken and written
- Previous experience in basic laboratory work.
- Languages: Catalan and Spanish.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Medical sciences » Veterinary medicine Years of Research Experience None

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
- 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.

Eligibility criteria

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

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: End 2026-beginning 2027 (approximately)

The contract is part of project PID OB-I00 , funded by MICIU/AEI/ / and by the European Social Fund Plus FSE+.

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📌 PhD Candidate in bacterial respiratory diseases in piglets (España)
🏢 IRTA
📍 España