Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Instituto Superior Técnico
- Department: Direção de Recursos Humanos
- Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: Master Positions
- Application Deadline: 27 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)
- Country: Portugal
- Type of Contract: Not Applicable
- Job Status: Not Applicable
- Offer Starting Date: 21 Aug 2026
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme
Offer Description
Scientific Advisor: Ana Margarida Pires Fernandes Platzgummer (ist46782)
Organic Unit: Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences
Scholarship Theme: Effect of microcarrier stiffness on the adipogenic differentiation of water buffalo cells in bioreactors
Duration: 3 months
Maximum Duration Including Renewals: 3 months
Objectives
This work plan aims to evaluate the effect of three distinct microcarriers' stiffness on the adipogenic differentiation of water buffalo cells cultured in DASbox bioreactors, seeking to identify the conditions that lead to higher differentiation efficiency. As a learning outcome, the fellow will develop practical skills in suspension cell culture, bench-scale bioreactor operation, and assessment of adipogenic differentiation, in the context of cellular agriculture.
Work Plan
Month 1 and 2: Preparation and optimization of culture conditions in the DASbox bioreactor, including inoculation of water buffalo cells onto the three selected microcarriers and monitoring of metabolic culture parameters (nutrient consumption and metabolite production). Induction and monitoring of adipogenic differentiation across the three conditions, with continuous tracking of cell viability, metabolic profile, and culture parameters.
Month 3: Final characterization of adipogenic differentiation (marker expression and lipid accumulation), integrated analysis of metabolic and differentiation data across microcarriers, and final report writing.
Contest Procedure
Applications must be exclusively submitted on the admissions platform of the Instituto Superior Técnico at https://fenix.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/fenixedu-admissions and requires registration and validation of the candidate's identity.
Applications are only accepted when the form available in the platform is correctly filled, submitted and locked without any validation errors. The mandatory documentation to submit in the scholarship aplication includes:
Curriculum Vitae
Proof of Qualifications (or declaration of honor in case you do not yet have the certificate)
Proof of Registration/Enrolment
Motivation Letter
The application submission deadlines can be viewed in the admissions platform.
The results of the contest will be made available in the same admissions platform.
Where to apply
Website: https://fenix.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/fenixedu-admissions
Requirements
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Admission Requirements
To be enrolled in a PhD program. Bachelor's and Master's degree in Biological Engineering or a related field. Solid background in bioprocess engineering, namely upstream processes and cellular metabolism, as well as experience in adipogenic differentiation of animal cells, will be valued. Teamwork skills, autonomy, and good written and oral communication skills in English will also be valued.
Additional Information
Benefits
Monthly Maintenance Allowance: €1,359.64
Funding Entity: Instituto Superior Técnico (IST)
Eligibility criteria
Admission Requirements
To be enrolled in a PhD program. Bachelor's and Master's degree in Biological Engineering or a related field. Solid background in bioprocess engineering, namely upstream processes and cellular metabolism, as well as experience in adipogenic differentiation of animal cells, will be valued. Teamwork skills, autonomy, and good written and oral communication skills in English will also be valued.
Selection process
Contest Evaluation Method(s)
Curricular evaluation weighted to 80% on a scale of 20 points with a minimum of 12 points needed for admission.
Carta de motivação weighted to 20% on a scale of 20 points with a minimum of 10 points needed for admission.
The minimum final grade needed for admission is 12 points.
Conditions for the Contest Evaluation
The candidate will be selected based on curricular evaluation (80%) and assessment of the motivation letter (20%). The curricular evaluation will consider academic background, prior experience in animal cell culture and bioprocess engineering, and other skills relevant to the proposed work plan. The motivation letter will be assessed for the clarity of the candidate's personal and professional goals and their alignment with the theme and objectives of this call.
Composition of the Selection Jury
Jury President:
Maria Margarida Fonseca Rodrigues Diogo (ist24804)
Jury Members:
Cláudia Alexandra Martins Lobato da Silva (ist31519); Ana Margarida Pires Fernandes Platzgummer(ist46782).
In case the president of the jury is unable to preside, they will be replaced by one of the jury members.
Additional comments
Applicable Laws and Regulations
Law No. 40/2004, of 18 August (Statute of Scientific Research Fellow), in its current wording; FCT Regulation for Research Fellowships, available at https://drh.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/files/sites/45/despacho_8532_regulamento_bolsas.pdf.
Workplace:
Instituto Superior Técnico, Campus TagusPark e Alameda
Website for additional job details: https://drh.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/bolseiros/recrutamento/
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: IST
Country: Portugal
Contact
City: Lisboa
Website: http://tecnico.ulisboa.pt/
Street: Av. Rovisco Pais
Postal Code: 1049-001 Lisboa
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