Research positions, often referred to as research jobs in higher education, involve designing and executing studies to generate new knowledge. These roles form the backbone of academic advancement, where professionals investigate complex problems across disciplines like sciences, humanities, and engineering. Unlike teaching-focused jobs, research positions prioritize experimentation, data collection, analysis, and dissemination through publications and conferences.
Historically, dedicated research jobs emerged in the 20th century as universities shifted from teaching-only institutions to research-intensive hubs. Today, they span entry-level research assistant roles to senior principal investigator positions, offering intellectual freedom and societal impact. In global contexts, these jobs drive innovations, from climate solutions to medical breakthroughs.
Brazil boasts a robust higher education research ecosystem, led by public universities such as the University of São Paulo (USP) and the State University of Campinas (Unicamp). Research positions here are integral to national development, with heavy emphasis on areas like tropical diseases, renewable energy, and Amazon biodiversity. For instance, USP researchers have pioneered sustainable agriculture techniques amid ongoing deforestation concerns.
Government agencies play a pivotal role: the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) funds nationwide projects, while the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) supports state-level initiatives. Securing these grants is crucial for sustaining research jobs, as funding determines project scale and team size. Brazil ranks among Latin America's top producers of scientific papers, contributing over 2.5% of global output annually, per recent Scopus data.
Positions often blend research with teaching, especially for professors, but pure research roles exist at institutes like the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). International collaboration is growing, with partnerships enhancing opportunities for research jobs in Brazil.
To land research jobs, candidates need strong academic credentials. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is standard for mid-to-senior roles, while a Master's degree qualifies for research assistant positions.
Aim for a hybrid skill set: technical expertise paired with communication to translate findings for policymakers.
Start by gaining hands-on experience as a research assistant, building your publication record early. Network at Brazilian science congresses and apply for fellowships like FAPESP's postdocs. Tailor applications to emphasize impact, and consider strategies to excel as a research assistant, adaptable globally.
Overcome challenges like funding volatility by diversifying sources and collaborating internationally. Track progress with metrics like h-index, and update your profile regularly on platforms listing postdoc jobs.
Ready to pursue research jobs? Browse openings on higher-ed-jobs, seek advice via higher-ed-career-advice, explore university-jobs, or post your vacancy at post-a-job to connect with top talent.
If you are searching for research jobs in Brazil, you need more than a keyword dump of “scientist” ads. You need openings that match how universities actually hire: postdoctoral fellowships, research assistant and associate roles, research fellows, lab technicians, research coordinators, and faculty researcher lines. Academic Jobs (AJ) is built for that search. Every listing on this page is already filtered to university and institute research roles, so you spend time on fit — lab, method, contract length, and location — instead of wading through unrelated industry postings.
Job seekers come here with a clear intent: find a funded research post they can apply to this week. Use the filters above to narrow by city, institution, employment type, or a keyword such as CRISPR, ethnography, or clinical trials. On a country page the region is pre-set, so the count in the heading is the live number of research openings in Brazil, not a global total. That is the number you should trust when you are deciding whether to relocate, stay local, or keep a worldwide search open.
AJ aggregates research jobs from universities, medical schools, national labs, and research institutes in one board. That matters because most research hiring is still posted on a single employer career site and easy to miss if you only check two or three campuses. A postdoc in public health, a research technician in a core facility, and a research professor line will not sit on the same faculty page — they will sit on AJ if the employer posted or syndicated the role. You can also save a job alert with the same research filters so new fellowships hit your inbox instead of disappearing after a short closing window.
Compared with general job boards, AJ’s research collection is scoped to higher education. You will still see staff research and faculty research together, which is useful when your next step could be either a fellowship or a research-track faculty post. Pair this page with Science Jobs if you want scientist titles, or Professor Jobs if you are targeting a teaching-and-research chair. For most candidates asking “where do I find research jobs in Brazil that I can actually apply for?”, the short answer is this listing: live count, research-only filters, and a board that employers in higher education already use.
Reach qualified research professionals across any industry. List your vacancy on AcademicJobs.com.
Get notified when new research vacancies are posted on Academic Jobs.
All USA, USA Territories: American Samoa (USA); Guam (USA); Puerto Rico (USA); Virgin Islands (USA); Northern Mariana Islands (USA);, USA Compact Free Associations: The Federated States of Micronesia (USA) Marshall Islands (USA) Republic of Palau (USA), International, Israel and Canada.
All USA, USA Territories: American Samoa (USA); Guam (USA); Puerto Rico (USA); Virgin Islands (USA); Northern Mariana Islands (USA);, USA Compact Free Associations: The Federated States of Micronesia (USA), Marshall Islands (USA), Republic of Palau (USA), International, Israel and Canada.
USA, Canada, and International
All USA, Canada
All USA, Canada
