Postdoctoral Researcher in Fish Nutrition and Health for the Aquaculture Program

Postdoctoral Researcher in Fish Nutrition and Health for the Aquaculture Program BAC4RumA international project
[ref. 138/24]
IRTA is currently seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with a PhD related to Aquaculture, Veterinary Sciences or related field, to join the Aquaculture Program within the international BAC4RumA project. BAC4RumA is an international project based in the use of a bacteriocin-rich extract from engineered lactic acid bacteria as an antibiotic alternative for therapeutic and prophylactic use aquaculture. The main objective of the project is to determine if the use of a combination of bacteriocins is an efficient strategy for the treatment and prevention of bacterial diseases in aquaculture.

We are seeking applications from motivated candidates with a strong background in research and a keen interest in exploring fish nutrition and health. In addition to offering opportunities for academic and professional development, we provide mentorship and support to facilitate the candidate's growth and success in the field. We encourage individuals with a passion for scientific inquiry and a desire to make meaningful contributions to the field of aquaculture to apply for this position.

Head of the Program: Dr Enric Gisbert
Program’s key researchers for this position: Dr Sílvia Torrecillas & Dr Dolors Furones
Job location: IRTA La Ràpita (Tarragona)
Full-time position: 37.5 h/week
Terms of appointment: full-time position for 18 months.
Gross Annual Salary: 33,247 € in 14 payments (category F)
Employee Benefits: 22 vacation days, 3 days of family & work conciliation, 45h of personal days, Friday afternoon off, Compressed Summer schedule from 15/06 to 15/09, Conciliation schedule.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Execution of scientific and technical tasks taking part in the planning and execution of the project experiments to ensure the achievement of milestones.
- Supervision the technical personnel and students that will support the research project.
- Provide support to on-going activities focused on functional and alternative ingredients.
- Perform literature review, data collection and management, involving statistical analysis.
- Attending consortium meetings.
- Writing project reports and high-quality scientific articles.
- Collaborate in the positioning the Program as a group of excellence through regular peer-reviewed publications, contributions at national and international congresses.

Required qualifications and experience:
- PhD in Aquaculture, Veterinary Sciences, or equivalent.
- Proven experience in the research field of fish nutrition and health, including international experience.
- Knowledge on bacterial diseases and immunology. Experience in biochemistry, immunology, microbiology and transcriptomics.
- Research skills: literature review, experimental design and implementation, data analysis, and scientific article writing.
- Dissemination skills: solid presentation/communication skills, scientific (peer-reviewed journals) and technical writing skills.
- Strong organizational capability and ability to learn and successfully work within multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable requirements:
- Previous experience in Tilapia culture.
- Advanced immunology techniques applied to the study of the pathogenesis of bacterial infections.
- Experience in other techniques such as fluorescence and confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, RNAseq, EliSpot, etc.
- Demonstrating an attractive publication record and participation in funded projects.
- A proactive profile, solutions-focused approach to work, with ability to adapt to changing requirements.
- Receptive to challenges, ability to align the professional objectives and institutional priorities and strategy.

Languages:
- Proficiency in English.
- Catalan and Spanish are valued.

Application process
If you wish to be considered for this position, please, apply via our Recruitment Platform to the job post with reference 138/24 and upload your CV and motivation letter. Letters of recommendation from two independent researchers are recommended. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Deadline 15/09/2024

Timings in the Recruitment Process of ref. 138/24 Postdoctoral Researcher in Fish Nutrition and Health for the Aquaculture Program
BAC4RumA international project
45 natural days
Publication and diffusion of the job advertisement on IRTA’s website, EURAXESS Jobs, social media and other specific recruitment places.
5 following working days
Distribution of the pre-selected CVs which matching eligibility criteria to the Recruitment Committee. Communication via e-mail with the not pre-selected candidates who will not be further included in the process.
15 following working days
Recruitment Committee:
- Communication via e-mail with the not-selected candidates by the Recruitment Committee.
- Interview with selected candidates by the Recruitment Committee.
- Accord of the Recruitment Committee stating the selected candidate and detailed reasoning for the decline of the rest of the candidates.
- Communication via e-mail with the interviewed and not-selected candidates
10 following working days
Provision by the selected candidate of requested legal and official documentation to the HR department to coordinate the start of the candidate.
January 2025
Start of employment

IRTA guarantees an open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment process (OTM-R) to all registered candidacies avoiding thus any bias on gender, origin, age, ideology, or other circumstances that could be discriminatory. Candidates in a situation of social exclusion will be considered in the first place.

Please know that if you are the chosen candidate and you are from a country which does not belong to the UE, IRTA’s Human Resources Department will support you to get the residence and working permits.