A call for applications is open for a Research Grant (BI) within the scope of the project “DiVina - Strategy for the valorization of persimmons for the vinegar sector”, funded by the “European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)”, under the following conditions:
1. Scientific Area:
Agri-food Science and Technology, Biotechnology
2. Admission Requirements:
- Student enrolled in an Agri-food Science and Technology or Biotechnology Program;
- Suitability of the candidate's training and experience to the objectives of the work to be developed;
- Master's degree in Food Quality and Safety, Food Technology or related areas; and
- Experience in nutritional and physicochemical characterization, chromatographic techniques for data processing, identification and quantification of active molecules. Proficiency in English (written and oral communication) will also be valued.
3. Work Plan:
The main tasks of this plan are: i) to determine the technical specifications for the production of powdered vinegar; ii) physicochemical characterization of vinegar; iii) bioactive characterization of vinegar; iv) to promote the dissemination and exploitation of the results generated in the project.
4. Objectives:
The DiVina project aims to develop two products for the vinegar sector, one intended for the current market and the other for the gourmet market, in order to add value to the persimmons from the Douro region and make innovative products available on the national market.
5. Applicable legislation and regulations:
Statute of the Scientific Research Fellow, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of August 18, in its current wording; FCT, I.P. Research Grant Regulations in force (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RBi_Republicado_2025.pdf); Regulation No. 522/2020, published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 113, of June 12 – Research Grant Regulations of the Polytechnic University of Bragança.
6. Workplace and scientific supervision:
The work will be carried out at the Mountain Research Center - CIMO, under the scientific supervision of Lillian Barros and Eliana Pereira.
7. Grant duration:
The grant will have an initial duration of 6 months, with a planned start date of 02/11/2026 (with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum of 10 months, including the initial period).
8. Monthly Maintenance Allowance Amount:
The grant amount corresponds to 1,359.64€, according to the table of grant values awarded by FCT, I.P. in the country.
Grant recipients will benefit from personal accident insurance and, if they are not covered by any social protection scheme, they may ensure the exercise of the right to social security by joining the voluntary social security scheme, under the terms provided for in the Code of Contribution Regimes of the Social Security System. The grant amount will be paid monthly by bank transfer.
9. Selection Methods and their respective valuation:
The selection methods to be used will be the following:
- Curriculum evaluation and its suitability for the work in question (60%);
- Experience in chromatographic analysis techniques (20%);
- Experience in nutritional, chemical and bioactivity assessment assays (20%).
The two best candidates, according to these criteria, may be called for an in-person interview and their ranking will be weighted in item a) with a value of 40%. The jury may not grant the grant if the candidates' ranking is less than 9.5 points.
10. Composition of the Selection Jury:
Dr. Eliana Pereira (President of the Panel), Dr. Lillian Barros (member), and Dr. Filipa Mandim (member).
11. Method of publication/notification of results:
The communications and final results of the evaluation will be published through the UPB application submission portal or, if necessary, by notification via email.
12. Application period:
The competition is open from October 8, 2026 to October 21, 2026.
13. Application Submission Method:
Applications can be submitted through the UPB application submission portal (http://concursos.ipb.br), including the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Academic qualification certificate.
Documents proving the holding of academic degrees or diplomas, or enrollment in an academic degree or diploma, may be waived during the registration phase, being replaced by a declaration of honor from the candidate, with verification of this condition being mandatory during the grant contracting phase.
Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries need recognition by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16, and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25. Presentation of the recognition is mandatory for signing the contract.
14. Deadlines and procedures for complaints and appeals:
If the decision to be made is unfavorable to the granting of the requested grant, candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the date of publication of the evaluation results, to express their opinion, if they wish, in a prior hearing, under the terms provided for in the Administrative Procedure Code.
An appeal against the final decision may be made to the Rector of UPB within 15 working days after the respective notification.