Junior MLOps Scientist

Offer Description

Junior MLOps Scientist

Job Title: Junior MLOps Scientist

Job Ref: AICOS_Jobs_2026_02

Job Type: Full-time contract

Job Salary: €1.640,54

Job Location: Porto, Portugal

Job Description:

Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS is seeking a Junior MLOps Scientist to join our dynamic and multidisciplinary team within the Intelligent Systems Group, namely in machine learning and tabular data analysis applied to health data. It is expected that you will contribute to the business areas of Digital Health and Digital Futures.

As a researcher at AICOS you will work at the forefront of AI innovation, creating purposeful technologies that positively transform industries, promoting social well-being and improving quality of life.

Specifically, in this job will participate in the research and development of methodologies to improve the privacy and robustness of Machine Learning (ML) models. You will contribute to improving a flexible distributed software framework, which includes federated learning and data governance to support the deployment of privacy-preserving ML pipelines.

Your role:

• Performing applied research on model auditing in supervised ML use cases using structured or tabular data;
• Operationalizing federated learning systems, including client orchestration, training coordination, aggregation workflows, monitoring, deployment, and lifecycle management across partners;
• Following MLOps infrastructure and deployment best practices for robust ML applications, including containerization, and production monitoring to ensure federated learning models run reliably at scale;
• Applying transparent reporting mechanisms, such as data and model cards, to communicate findings effectively and guide the research related to supervised ML applications using structured or tabular data;
• Maintaining and refining current codebases, adhering to best practices in software development and reproducible research;
• Working closely with multidisciplinary teams to integrate into existing processes.

Your profile:

Mandatory Requirements:

• Academic Qualifications: B.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science or similar.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience in research departments in industry, applied research institutions, or universities.
• Technical Skills:
  • Programming proficiency in Python and experience with machine learning frameworks such as Scikit-learn, PyTorch or TensorFlow;
  • Hands-on experience with federated learning frameworks like NVIDIA Flare;
  • Experience in implementation and comparison of several Federated Learning aggregation schemes;
  • Software development best practices, Git, Docker containerization;
  • Experience in MLflow for ML experiment tracking.
• Other Skills:
  • Proficient in English, preferably with a C2-level in the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
  • Excellent communication skills for technical and general audiences;
  • Capacity to translate research findings into actionable insights for real-world applications.

We value:

• Experience in applied research and raw coding, balancing a curiosity-driven approach with software engineering principles;
• Experience in deploying ML solutions in diverse environments, including edge devices, local servers or cloud;
• Strong interest in security and privacy considerations within distributed ML systems;
• Commitment to clear and honest communication of data and model limitations using established reporting standards and tools;
• Autonomous, dependable, proactive, and a critical-thinking team player.

Why should you join Fraunhofer Portugal:

• Innovative Environment: Be part of a people-centric workplace that fosters creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. We encourage the development of new ideas and ensure that every voice is heard;
• Research with Impact: Engage in projects that sit at the intersection of research and real-world applications, contributing to technology that makes a tangible difference in society;
• Multidisciplinary Teams: Collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds, enhancing your learning and professional growth;
• Professional Excellence: Work within a culture that upholds professional standards and best practices, promoting continuous improvement and excellence in research;
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Benefit from flexible working hours and hybrid work opportunities, supporting a healthy work-life balance;
• Comprehensive Benefits: Benefit from a partially funded health insurance plan, and a variety of additional perks;
• Supportive Culture: Join a team with an excellent spirit, where collaboration, mutual support, and team achievements are celebrated.

Application Process:

Applications are open from the 8th to the 21st of October 2026.

The selected candidate is expected to start working on November 1st, 2026.

Applications must be made via Fraunhofer Portugal Website and contain:

• Curriculum Vitae – mandatory;
• Motivation Letter – mandatory;
• Qualifications Certificate – optional;
• Recommendation Letters – optional.

Selection process:

Admitted candidates (those who fulfill the mandatory requirements and application process) will be subject to a curricular evaluation based on the predefined evaluation criteria and weights.

The evaluation is based on a quantitative scoring system ranging from 0 to 100 points, structured as follows:

• Curricular Evaluation – 70%;
• Interview – 30%.

The curricular evaluation will assess the mandatory and preferential requirements, as follows:

• Professional Experience: 20%;
• Programming proficiency in Python and experience with machine learning frameworks such as Scikit-learn, PyTorch or TensorFlow: 10%;
• Hands-on experience with federated learning frameworks like NVIDIA Flare: 10%;
• Experience in implementation and comparison of several Federated Learning aggregation schemes: 30%;
• Software development best practices, Git, Docker containerization: 10%;
• Experience in MLflow for ML experiment tracking: 10%;
• Other Skills: 10%.

Based on the results of the curricular evaluation, the top-ranked candidates (typically up to three) will be invited for an interview. Only candidates achieving a minimum score of 85 points in the curricular evaluation will be considered for progression.

The interview will be conducted in accordance with the predefined evaluation criteria and will contribute to the final classification. The interview will assess candidates across the following dimensions:

• Motivation and alignment with the role and organizational values: 20%;
• Technical knowledge and professional experience relevant to the position: 20%;
• Problem-solving capacity: 20%;
• Analytical skills capacity: 20%;
• Communication skills: 20%.

The interview scoring will be conducted using a structured evaluation matrix to ensure consistency and comparability between candidates.

For positions requiring an additional interview stage, only candidates achieving a minimum score of 80 points in the first interview will proceed to the next stage.

The final classification of candidates will be based on the results of all evaluation stages, in accordance with the defined weights.

All applicants will be notified of the results of the call via the email address provided in their application.

After notification, all candidates have 10 days to comment.

Selection Panel:

• André Carreiro (PhD; Chairman).
• Filipe Soares (PhD; Permanent Member).
• João Gonçalves (MSc; Permanent Member).

Non-discrimination and equal opportunity policy:

Associação Fraunhofer Portugal Research actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal opportunities policy, ensuring that no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of any duties based on their ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family and economic conditions, instruction, origin or social conditions, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.

To comply with Law no. 4/2019, of 10 January, candidates must declare on the application form, under a statement of honor, their degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication/expression to be used in the selection process.

All selection procedures of Associação Fraunhofer Portugal Research follow the Open, Transparent and Merit-based recruitment policy.

Privacy Policy:

All personal data collected during the recruitment process will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.

For more information on how personal data is processed, please refer to the Associação Fraunhofer Portugal Research Privacy Policy available on the institutional website Privacy Policy.

Note:

The research activities in the scope of this job opportunity are planned to be developed within the framework of the following projects:

• AIFH – Artificial Intelligence Factory in Health, with Notice No. MPr-2025-01 SIID I&D&I Empresarial and Project Reference No. 26549 - COMPETE 2030 Copromoção;
• FEDAS – Federated Data Spaces for Privacy-Preserving Data Valorisation, with Notice No. MPr-2026-2 STEP I&D&I Empresarial (Digital e Biotecnologia - Operações em Copromoção in COMPETE 2030) and Project Reference No. 28795.