Organisation/Company IRTA Department Human Resources Research Field Biological sciences » Other Medical sciences » Veterinary medicine Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 6 Jul 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 16 Oct 2025 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
IRTA is currently seeking an enthusiastic and motivated PhD candidate to join the Animal Nutrition Program. We invite applications from ambitious candidates with relevant research experience and passion to conduct research and innovation activities on the processing and evaluation (in vitro and in vivo) of alternative plant protein sources in poultry nutrition, health and impact on environment.
The project aims to identify alternative plant protein sources in monogastric diets, with the specific objectives:
* Nutritional characterization of dietary ingredients suitable to contribute to an efficient and sustainable animal production.
* Characterization of digestibility and antinutritional factors of alternative ingredients and new diets, and their effects on gut health (inflammation, intestinal morphology) and performance traits.
* Determination of optimal inclusion levels of exogenous enzymes (such as phytase, NSP-degrading enzymes (NSPase and protease) in new poultry diets, to improve the nutritional value of high fiber ingredients.
* -Omics and meta-omics analysis to characterise host immune response and intestinal microbiota populations to test nutritional interventions to improve poultry health.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- To Perform literature review on the study topic.
- To manage field duties (animal facility and feed mill), laboratory sample analyses, perform data collection and processing involving statistical analysis.
- To present data at international scientific congress.
- To publish scientific papers based on the PhD research project in peer-reviewed journals.
- To contribute to the scientific production of the research and innovation activities of the research line of IRTA.
- To collaborate in other projects as part of a team.
-Candidates must hold one of the following degrees:
a) A master’s in nutrition and metabolism, animal science, veterinary science/animal health, or similar.
b) To be in a position to access a doctoral programme according to the requirements of Catalan universities, i.e. accrediting between 60 and 120 ECTS credits at the official university master's degree level or equivalent.
- Not to have a previous PhD degree.
- Candidates who have been chosen for an interview with the Selection Committee, should bring or send –for the interview- a certified copy of the degree and/or master, as well as the academic record showing the marks of all subjects studied.
Specific Requirements
- Demonstrate experience in matters of animal nutrition and Welfare.
- Strong interest and basic knowledge in animal nutrition, management, gut health, welfare and sustainable production mainly in poultry but also in swine.
- Strong interest and basic knowledge in nutrient digestibility, feed enzyme applications in monogastric animals and concepts in omnics.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability for flexible work (schedules and locations).
Languages ENGLISH Level Good
Research Field Biological sciences » OtherMedical sciences » Veterinary medicine Years of Research Experience 1 - 4
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