Post-Doctoral Research Grant (BIPD)

Reference Number: P576957

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A call for applications is open for a Post-Doctoral Research Grant (BIPD) within the scope of the project “INSECTRAK (2023.15568.PEX) and UIDB/00690/2025 CIMO”, with funding from “FCT funding supplemented by funding within the scope of the research project “Multi-year funding for R&D Units (UIDB/00690/2025)”, funded by national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)/Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education”, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Molecular Biology

2. Admission Requirements:

1. PhD in Molecular Biology, Genomics, or related fields. If the doctorate was awarded by a foreign institution, it must meet the legal requirements for recognition in Portugal; the doctorate cannot have been awarded more than 3 years prior to the date of application submission; the candidate cannot exceed a cumulative period of 3 years in this type of fellowship (postdoctoral), considering the period of the contract in question, including possible renewals.
2. Candidate's experience and training are appropriate to the activities to be developed during the contract;
3. Demonstrated practical knowledge in the use of DNA analysis techniques, namely i) in the design of new primers and development of LAMP techniques, ii) quantitative real-time PCR, and iii) bioinformatics;

Candidates who do not meet all the requirements mentioned in paragraphs 1), 2) and 3) will be excluded.

3. Work Plan:

The main tasks of this plan are:

1. Development of LAMP and lateral flow strip methodologies for the specific identification of insects in processed foods;
2. Development of real-time PCR methodologies for gene expression quantification;
3. Support in data processing and the use of bioinformatics tools;
4. Support in the development of projects and the supervision of students;
5. Writing articles and disseminating the results obtained.

4. Objectives:

To develop the experimental work necessary for the completion of the INSECTRAK project; to collaborate in the supervision of students and in the development of molecular biology methodologies framed within the research areas of SusTEC IPB.

5. Applicable legislation and regulations:

Statute of the Scientific Research Grant Holder, 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 SusTEC-IPB, under the scientific supervision of Joana Amaral.

7. Grant Duration:

The grant will have an initial duration of 6 months, with a planned start date of 07/09/2026 (with the possibility of renewal for up to a maximum of 30 months, including the initial period).

8. Monthly Maintenance Allowance Amount:

The grant amount corresponds to 1,901.00€, 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:

• a) Curriculum evaluation and its suitability for the work in question (40%);
• b) Experience in carrying out the work plan (40%);
• c) Interview (20%).

Note: the interview will only take place for the two highest-ranked candidates if their ranking difference is less than 1 point in the sum of a) + b)

10. Composition of the Selection Jury:

Professor Dr. Joana Amaral (President of the Jury), Professor Dr. Maria Alice Pinto (member), Dr. Dora Henriques (member), Dr. Getúlio Igrejas (alternate 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 email notification.

12. Application period:

The competition is open from 08/24/2026 to 09/04/2026.

13. Application Submission Method:

Applications can be submitted through the UPB application submission portal (http://concursos.ipb.br), including the following documents:

• a) Curriculum Vitae;
• b) Academic qualifications certificate;
• c) Letter of motivation

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.

Where to apply

Website: https://concursos.ipb.pt/ui/#/public/concursos/detalhe/1079

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences

Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

1) PhD in Molecular Biology, Genomics, or related fields. If the PhD was awarded by a foreign institution, it must meet the legal requirements for recognition in Portugal; the PhD cannot have been awarded more than 3 years prior to the date of application submission; the candidate cannot exceed a cumulative period of 3 years in this type of fellowship (post-doctoral) considering the contract period in question, including possible renewals. 2) Candidate's experience and training are appropriate to the activities to be developed during the contract; 3) Demonstrated practical knowledge in the use of DNA analysis techniques, namely i) in the design of new primers and development of LAMP techniques, ii) quantitative real-time PCR, and iii) bioinformatics; Candidates who do not meet all the requirements mentioned in 1), 2) and 3) will be excluded.

Specific Requirements

Candidates should be able to collaborate on: 1) Development of LAMP and lateral flow strip methodologies for specific identification of insects in processed foods; 2) Development of real-time PCR methodologies for gene expression quantification; 3) Support in data processing and use of bioinformatics tools; 4) Support in project development and student supervision; 5) Writing articles and disseminating the results obtained.

Languages: PORTUGUESE

Level: Excellent

Languages: ENGLISH

Level: Good

Additional Information

Benefits

The grant amount corresponds to 1,901.00€, 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.

Eligibility criteria

1) PhD in Molecular Biology, Genomics, or related fields. If the doctorate was awarded by a foreign institution, it must meet the legal requirements for recognition in Portugal; the doctorate cannot have been awarded more than 3 years prior to the date of application submission; the candidate cannot exceed a cumulative period of 3 years in this type of fellowship (postdoctoral), considering the period of the contract in question, including possible renewals.

2) Candidate's experience and training are appropriate to the activities to be developed during the contract;

3) Demonstrated practical knowledge in the use of DNA analysis techniques, namely i) in the design of new primers and development of LAMP techniques, ii) quantitative real-time PCR, and iii) bioinformatics;

Candidates who do not meet all the requirements mentioned in paragraphs 1), 2) and 3) will be excluded.

Selection process

The selection methods to be used will be as follows: a) Curriculum evaluation and its suitability for the job in question (40%); b) Experience in carrying out the work plan (40%); c) Interview (20%). Note: the interview will only take place for the two highest-ranked candidates if their ranking difference is less than 1 point in the sum of a) + b).

Additional comments

Documents proving the ownership of academic degrees or diplomas, or enrollment in an academic degree or diploma, may be dispensed with during the application stage, being replaced by a declaration of honor by the candidate, and verification of this condition is mandatory during the grant contracting stage. Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require recognition by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16th and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25th. The presentation of recognition is mandatory for the signing of the contract.

Website for additional job details: https://concursos.ipb.pt/ui/#/public/concursos/detalhe/1079

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança - SusTEC
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Bragança
• City: Bragança
• Postal Code: 5300-253
• Street: Campus de Santa Apolónia

Contact

• State/Province: Bragança
• City: Bragança
• Website: http://portal3.ipb.pt/index.php/pt/ipb
• Street: Campus de Sta Apolónio
• Postal Code: 5300-253
• E-Mail: jamaral@ipb.pt