PhD Candidate in Tuberculosis Vaccine Research Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentarias in Spain

IRTA is recruiting a PhD Candidate in Tuberculosis Vaccine Research to join the Tuberculosis Research Line of the Animal Health Program at IRTA-CReSA in Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.

The project is centered on the development and evaluation of tuberculosis vaccine candidates, with research carried out using in vitro platforms and large-animal models to assess immunogenicity and protective efficacy. The work is embedded in a national research project funded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI), and the position is part of project PID2025-170562OR-I00, with additional support from MICIU/AEI and the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+).

The successful candidate will work in a high-quality, collaborative research environment with advanced in vitro systems and BSL-3 animal experimentation facilities and laboratories. Responsibilities include contributing to the scientific and technical activities of the Tuberculosis Research Line, performing experimental work under appropriate biosafety conditions, generating and interpreting data, helping produce scientific publications, presenting findings at seminars and conferences, and participating in team discussions and collaborative research activities.

The role is suited to applicants with a Master’s degree in life sciences or a degree in Veterinary Medicine. The post explicitly welcomes backgrounds in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Veterinary Medicine, or related life sciences disciplines. A good level of English is required, and the post also values laboratory experience in immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, in vivo experimentation, statistics, bioinformatics, and readiness to work in BSL-3 settings. Knowledge of Catalan and/or Spanish is desirable.

Funding and employment conditions are strong points of this opportunity: the contract lasts 4 years, with a gross salary of 23,322.09 EUR per year for the first three years and 26,325.47 EUR in the fourth year. The doctoral grant also provides up to 7,000 EUR in additional support for research stays and tuition fees across the PhD programme. The job is full-time (37.5 hours per week), with flexible work arrangements and additional benefits such as vacation days, remote work days, and training opportunities.

The primary supervisor is Dr. Bernat Pérez de Val, Principal Investigator of the Tuberculosis Research Line. Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree and must be able to provide proof of admission to, or enrolment in, a doctoral programme when signing the contract. The application deadline is 13 September 2026 at 23:24 (Europe/Madrid), and the expected contract start is January 2027.