Post-Doctoral Research Grant (BIPD) – Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Editing (CRISPR/Cas)

Researcher (R1) Positions: Postdoc Positions Application Deadline: 24 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country: Portugal Type of Contract: Temporary Job Status: Full-time Hours Per Week: NA Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description UNIVERSITY OF ÉVORA School of Science and Technology / MED — Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ONE POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH GRANT Ref. OptiGenPIG/BIPD/2/2026 Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Editing (CRISPR/Cas) 09 of november of 2026 1. Framework Applications are invited for one (1) Post-Doctoral Research Grant (BIPD) within the project OptiGenPIG — Artificial-intelligence-based genomic optimisation algorithm: proof of concept applied to precision animal breeding of the Alentejano pig , funded by the Alentejo Regional Programme 2021–2027 (Intervention Typology RSO1.1-01-01 — Scientific and technological research), reference ALT2030-FEDER-02677200, under the responsibility of the Principal Investigator Prof. Andreia J. Amaral. The grant is dedicated to the in vitro experimental validation component of the project, its biological proof of concept: the combinations of genetic variants predicted by the artificial intelligence algorithm are reproduced through gene editing in porcine cells, and the experimental results are fed back into the computational model. 2. Scientific area Molecular Biotechnology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Animal Physiology, Veterinary Sciences, or related scientific areas. 3. Applicable legislation Research Fellow Statute (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação), as currently in force; Research Grant Regulations of FCT, I.P., as currently in force; Research Grant Regulations of the University of Évora; Funding rules of the Alentejo Regional Programme 2021–2027; National and European legislation on the use of animals for scientific purposes and on genetic manipulation in laboratory settings. 4. Purpose and activities The grant holder will be responsible for the experimental biological validation component of the project, including the establishment and optimisation of primary porcine cell cultures, the optimisation and execution of multiplexed gene editing protocols, the selection of edited populations, the molecular validation of edits by PCR and sequencing — including off-target assessment — and the evaluation of viability and cellular function of the edited lines. Experimental results will feed into the computational component of the project. The grant holder will also take part in scientific dissemination activities, including co-authorship of publications and presentation of results at conferences. The detailed work plan, including the schedule of project activities and milestones, will be made available to the selected candidate. 5. Admission requirements 5.1. Mandatory requirements Hold a doctoral degree in Molecular Biotechnology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Animal Physiology, Veterinary Sciences or a related field, obtained within the three years preceding the application submission date , as set out in the Research Grant Regulations; The post-doctoral research must be carried out at a host institution other than the one where the doctoral work was developed , or fall under one of the exceptions foreseen in the Research Grant Regulations; Proven hands-on experience in gene editing with CRISPR/Cas systems (Cas9 and/or Cas12), including guide RNA design, delivery into cells and molecular verification of edits; Proven experience in animal cell culture , including primary cultures; Command of standard molecular biology techniques: nucleic acid extraction, PCR and qPCR, cloning and sequencing library preparation; Command of written and spoken English suitable for scientific production and international collaboration; Applicants must meet all further eligibility conditions set out in the Research Fellow Statute and in the applicable Research Grant Regulations. Legal note: the activities set out in this notice do not require prior post-doctoral experience, in accordance with the Research Grant Regulations. The CRISPR/Cas experience required above may have been acquired during doctoral studies. 5.2. Preferred qualifications (scored in the evaluation) Experience in multiplexed editing of several loci simultaneously and/or with Cas12 family systems; Experience working with fibroblasts and with livestock cells, particularly porcine; Command of flow cytometry and cell sorting applied to the selection of edited populations; Ability to analyse sequencing data for editing quantification and off-target assessment; Experience in in vivo procedures and livestock handling; FELASA training (function B or C) or equivalent, and knowledge of the applicable ethical and legal requirements; Experience in cryopreservation and cell bank establishment, and in implementing good laboratory practice and quality control; Bioinformatics and programming skills (R or Python) sufficient for autonomous analysis of the generated data; Relevant scientific output (Q1 publications, international conference presentations) and experience in multidisciplinary teams. Regarding the “BIPD” (postdoctoral scholarship), in terms of the requirements to be verified for their attribution (article 7 of the FCT Research Grant Regulation no. 950/2019) the need for a doctoral degree to have been obtained in the 3 years prior to the date of submission of the application to the scholarship and, in terms of its execution, the fact that it can only be renewed for a maximum period of 3 years. 6. Supervision and workplace The work will be carried out at the University of Évora under the scientific supervision of Prof. Ana Faustino (Task 4 leader), with the oversight of Prof. Andreia J. Amaral (Principal Investigator) and the collaboration of Prof. Elisa Bettencourt in the surgical procedures for fetal fibroblast collection. 7. Duration, regime and grant value Duration: 24 months, expected to start in december of 2026 , under an exclusivity regime, in accordance with the Research Fellow Statute. The grant is not renewable beyond the project execution period or the legal limit applicable to this grant type. Monthly maintenance allowance: 1.901,00 € ( https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf ), paid monthly by bank transfer. Other costs: personal accident insurance and social insurance scheme, under the applicable legal terms. The award of this grant does not create an employment relationship and is held under an exclusivity regime. 8. Selection methods and evaluation criteria Selection is based on curriculum evaluation (70%) , complemented by an interview (30%) with the best-ranked candidates in the curriculum evaluation (up to a maximum of five). All scores are expressed on a 0–20 scale, rounded to two decimal places. 8.1. Curriculum evaluation — weight 70% Criterion Weight A1. Academic background and alignment of the doctoral field with the work plan 15% A2. Experience in CRISPR/Cas gene editing (guide design, delivery into cells, molecular validation of edits, multiplexing) 35% A3. Experience in animal cell culture, primary cultures and cell viability and function assays 20% A4. Complementary skills (flow cytometry and sorting, editing sequencing data analysis, in vivo experience and FELASA training) 10% A5. Scientific output and other merits (publications, presentations, projects, experimental autonomy) 20% 8.2. Interview — weight 30% Criterion Weight B1. Motivation, technical command of the methodologies and fit to the work plan 40% B2. Experimental autonomy, problem-solving and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team 30% B3. Command of scientific English 30% The final score (FS) is calculated as FS = 0.70 × CE + 0.30 × I . No grant will be awarded to candidates scoring below 12 points , and the call may be closed without award if no candidate meets the required profile. The panel may waive the interview stage where the curriculum evaluation allows an unambiguous ranking, duly justified in the minutes; in that case the final score equals the curriculum evaluation. 9. Selection panel Chair: Prof. Andreia J. Amaral (Principal Investigator); Members: Prof. Ana Faustino; Prof.ª Doutora Célia Maria Miguel Antunes; Alternates: Prof. Rui Charneca; Prof. Elisa Bettencourt. 10. Application documents Applications must include the following documents in PDF format: Motivation letter (maximum two pages) explaining the fit between the candidate’s background and the work plan; Detailed curriculum vitae, explicitly describing the techniques mastered (CRISPR/Cas systems used, cell types, delivery and validation methods) and the five most relevant scientific outputs; Doctoral degree certificate, expressly stating the date the degree was obtained and the awarding institution, or an institutional declaration of completion. Degrees obtained abroad must comply with national legislation on the recognition of foreign degrees; Sworn statement confirming that the candidate meets the legal requirements for the grant, namely the three-year rule since obtaining the degree and the distinct host institution rule; Copy of identification document and, where applicable, proof of current professional situation; Proof of FELASA training or equivalent, where applicable; Recommendation letters (optional, maximum two) or referee contacts. Failure to submit the documents listed in points 1 to 4 results in exclusion. Under the applicable legislation, supporting documents may be replaced at application stage by a sworn statement, with proof required at the contracting stage. 11. Deadline and submission The call is open for 10 of novemberof 2026 to 24 of november of 2026 and the results presented up to 27 de novembro of 2026. Applications must be sent by e-mail to andreia.fonseca@uevora.pt , stating the reference OptiGenPIG/BIPD/2/2026 in the subject line. Applications may be written in Portuguese or English. This notice is published on the institutional website of the University of Évora and through any other legally required channels. 12. Results and prior hearing Evaluation results will be communicated to candidates by e-mail. Candidates may exercise their right to a prior hearing within 10 working days , under the Portuguese Administrative Procedure Code. The final decision may be subject to a complaint within 15 working days or an appeal to the institution’s highest body within 30 working days of notification. 13. Equality and non-discrimination policy The University of Évora actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access. No candidate may be privileged, benefited, prejudiced or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on grounds of ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced working capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership. Applications are welcome from national citizens, citizens of other EU Member States and of third countries, as well as stateless persons and holders of political refugee status. Where to apply E-mail: andreia.fonseca@uevora.pt Requirements Research Field: Biological sciences » Laboratory animal science Education Level: PhD or equivalent Research Field: Biological sciences » Laboratory animal science Work Location(s) Number of offers available: 1 Company/Institute: Universidade de Évora Country: Portugal State/Province: Évora City: Évora Postal Code: 7000-803 Street: Largo dos Colegiais, 2 Contact State/Province: Alentejo City: Évora Website: https://www.uevora.pt/investigar/Oportunidades-de-Investigacao/concursos-bolsas-id Street: Largo dos Colegais, nº. 2 Postal Code: 7000-803 E-Mail: andreia.fonseca@uevora.pt