PhD Candidate in Calf Health, Resilience and Disease Prediction

We are looking for a PhD candidateto jointhe Ruminant Production Progam team, based in Torre Marimon (Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona). We offer the opportunity to be part of an organization with a dynamic, collaborative work environment focused on professional development.

La siguiente información ofrece un resumen de las habilidades, cualidades y cualificaciones necesarias para este puesto.

The selected candidate will join the Ruminant Production Programme from IRTA. Approximately half of the doctoral research will be carried out at IRTA Torre Marimon, while the remaining half will take place at INRAE (France), on the campus of the Veterinary Faculty of Toulouse, providing the candidate with a unique international training environment and access to complementary expertise, facilities, and scientific networks. The PhD candidate will be enrolled on the EU CATAXIS project, an interdisciplinary research initiative aiming to unravel the complex biological mechanisms underlying respiratory and digestive diseases in calves raised under commercial farming conditions. The project integrates high-resolution data on the microbiome, pathogen dynamics, mucosal biology, immune responses, neuroimmune regulation, animal physiology, and behaviour to better understand disease susceptibility, resilience, and animal welfare. Specifically, the PhD candidate will:

• Identify resistant and resilient calf phenotypes based on coordinated clinical, microbial, immunological, mucosal, neurophysiological, and behavioural responses.
• Define early-warning biomarkers of respiratory and digestive diseases by integrating multi-omics datasets, physiological indicators, and high-frequency behavioural monitoring.
• Develop predictive models capable of identifying animals at risk before the appearance of overt clinical signs, ultimately supporting precision livestock farming and improved animal welfare.

The thesis is based on the following central hypotheses:

• Resilient calves exhibit coordinated and regulated immune and neuroimmune responses, supported by stable microbial communities, preserved mucosal barrier integrity, and regular behavioural rhythms.
• Respiratory and digestive diseases arise from complex interactions among the host, microbiome, pathogens, and environmental factors that can be captured by integrated systems biology approaches.

This international PhD will provide the candidate with advanced multidisciplinary training in microbiology, immunology, animal behaviour, systems biology, and data integration, while fostering strong collaborations between leading research teams at IRTA and INRAE.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Write a PhD thesis and publish scientific papers on the grounds of the PhD project.
• To perform literature review, data collection and management (field and lab), involving statistical analysis.
• To contribute to the scientific production of the research and innovation activities of the research line.
• To collaborate on other projects as part of a team.

Required qualifications and experience

• Candidates must hold one of the following degrees: Veterinary, Science Animal Health, Science Animal Production, or similar and have completed their studies and:

- a) A Master’s in animal science/animal nutrition/microbiology;

- 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.

• Proficiency in English
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• Demonstrated experience in matters of Animal Science.
• Demonstrated experience in management and health of calves.
• Demonstrated experience in microbiology
• Strong interest and basic knowledge in Animal health and Welfare.
• Ability for flexible work (schedules and locations)
• Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Contract: 4 years
• Gross annual salary in 14 payments: The financial remuneration for the PhD Candidate contract will be 19,656,35€/gross per annum and for the first and second years. For this third year, it will be €21,060,37€/gross per annum and for the fourth year it will be €26,325,47€/gross per annum which will be subject to the corresponding withholdings, pursuant to prevailing regulations, and to the collective employment agreement of IRTA. IRTA will also pay the fees of the doctoral school when receiving the enrolment.
• 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.

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.

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.

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. xcskxlj

Start of contract: October 2026 (approximately)

(1) The financial remuneration of the PhD Candidate contract may not be less than 56% of the salary established for the category of Research Collaborator F of the Collective Agreement of the IRTA during the first two years, 60% in the third year and 75% in the fourth.

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