Postdoctoral Researcher in On-Farm Diagnostic System for Porcine Polyserositis

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Animal Health Program , based in IRTA-CReSA ( Bellaterra, Barcelona) . This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a translational research project within a dynamic and collaborative environment committed to scientific excellence, innovation, and professional growth.

Siga leyendo para descubrir lo que necesitará para tener éxito en este puesto, incluyendo habilidades, cualificaciones y experiencia.

The successful candidate will work on the project “Validation of a Rapid On-Farm Diagnostic System for Porcine Polyserositis”, within the Endemic Respiratory Bacteria and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) research group. The project is strongly oriented towards technology maturation and market deployment, with the objective of advancing an innovative diagnostic technology from TRL 4 to pre-commercial validation stages (TRL 6).

The position is particularly suited for candidates interested in combining scientific research with technology transfer, innovation management, industrial collaboration, and product development in the animal health sector.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, optimization, and validation of a rapid molecular diagnostic platform for porcine polyserositis, advancing the technology towards a deployable prototype and commercial readiness.
• Coordinate and conduct field sampling campaigns in collaboration with veterinarians, pig producers, and other stakeholders across the swine production sector.
• Develop, optimize, and validate molecular diagnostic assays, benchmarking their performance against established reference methodologies.
• Assess diagnostic performance parameters, including sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, robustness, usability, and suitability for on-farm implementation.
• Contribute to project planning, experimental design, data analysis, technical reporting, scientific publications, and dissemination activities.
• Support innovation and technology transfer activities aimed at accelerating the uptake of research results by industry and end users.
• Participate in interactions with industrial partners, end users, and innovation stakeholders to identify market needs and facilitate technology adoption.
• Assist in the preparation of competitive funding proposals and collaborative innovation projects involving public and private stakeholders.

Required qualifications and experience

• PhD in Veterinary Sciences, Animal Health, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, particularly PCR, qPCR, and molecular diagnostics.
• Proven interest or experience in translational research, applied innovation, and technology development.
• Willingness to perform field work and sample collection on commercial pig farms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder environments.
• Ability to collaborate with academic researchers, veterinarians, industry representatives, and innovation partners.
• Good command of Spanish and/or Catalan, essential for engagement with farms, veterinarians, and stakeholders from the regional swine sector.
• Strong teamwork skills, ability to adapt to multidisciplinary environments and a focus on professional growth and development.
• Experience in swine health, infectious diseases, molecular diagnostics, and/or field-based animal health studies.
• Training or experience in technology transfer, innovation management, entrepreneurship, or product development.
• Knowledge of diagnostic assay validation and performance evaluation procedures.
• Experience in translating research outcomes into market-oriented solutions, including prototype development, product validation, and innovation scaling.
• Understanding of intellectual property protection, freedom-to-operate assessments, regulatory requirements, and commercialization processes.
• Familiarity with industry-academia collaboration frameworks and innovation ecosystems.
• Strong interest in creating societal and economic impact through the transfer of research results to the animal health sector.
• Advanced English: including the ability to prepare scientific publications, technical documentation, and project reports.
• Valid driving licence and willingness to travel regularly to farms and partner facilities.

Advantages of joining our team:

• Contract: Permanent contract for scientific and technical activities linked to the Polyserositis project.
• 37.5 hour workweek, with Friday afternoons off
• Intensive work schedule from 15/06 t