Ref. BI_UCIBIO_AIM_2026
A call is open for the award of 8 (eight) Research Fellowships – BI, within the scope of the project Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit - UCIBIO, with the reference UID/04378/2025, financed by the Foundation for Science and Technology I.P., under the terms of the respective financing instrument.
1. Scientific Area
Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and related areas.
2. Admission Requirements
Applicants must cumulatively meet the following requirements:
a) Academic Qualifications Hold a Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field relevant to the project, obtained in Portugal* or abroad**.
*Degrees obtained in Portugal: Applicants must submit an academic degree certificate clearly stating the final classification/grade, preferably accompanied by a transcript of records.
**Degrees obtained abroad: Applicants must provide proof of degree recognition in Portugal and conversion of the final grade to the Portuguese scale, pursuant to Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of 16 August.
Notes:
Provisional Application Documents - Declaration on Honour: If the official degree certificate or foreign degree recognition is unavailable by the application deadline (e.g., pending thesis defence, diploma issuance, or recognition processing), the submission of these proofs may be waived and replaced by a Declaration on Honour. For degrees in progress (Portugal or abroad), the declaration must state the expected final average grade - converted to the Portuguese scale for foreign degrees to the best of the applicant's knowledge - and the estimated completion date, including thesis defense and diploma issuance. This declaration must be accompanied by an official academic record listing completed modules/credits or a progress report. For completed foreign degrees pending recognition, the declaration must include a commitment to request official recognition of diploma if selected.
Contractual Conditions & Mandatory Documentation: The fellowship award is strictly conditional on confirming that the final average grade is equal to or higher than the estimated grade declared. Contracts will not be signed without an official Master’s diploma issued by a Portuguese higher education institution or, for foreign degrees, official recognition and grade conversion under Decree-Law No. 66/2018. Selected candidates will have a maximum of 3 months to submit these final official documents.
b) Be enrolled in a non-academic degree course or in a study cycle leading to a doctoral degree, in the scientific area of the work plan**;
** The proof of enrollment in a study cycle or course eligible for the fellowship can also be replaced, up to the same phase, by a declaration on honor, under the terms of the draft attached to the Notice.
c) Present a motivation letter with the express indication of 3 (three) preferred research themes from among those made available in the notice (2026 UCIBIO-AIM fellowships - Theme proposals.pdf): Click on the link.
The letter must also justify the candidate's interest in pursuing their studies at the doctoral level, specifying the reasons for choosing UCIBIO NOVA.
d) Recommendation Contacts: Indication of the name and email contact of 2 (two) academic and/or professional references to whom the UCIBIO-AIM Fellowships Selection Jury may request recommendation letters.
3. Preferential Factors
- Strong motivation for scientific research and interest in pursuing a doctorate in areas framed within UCIBIO's activity plan and strategy;
- Good organizational skills;
- Ability to work autonomously, integrated into a research team;
- Fluency in English, written and spoken;
- Previous experience in biology, biochemistry, and/or biotechnology.
4. Work Plan
Under the 2026 edition, the UCIBIO-AIM Fellowship program offers 8 (eight) work themes/projects for the call. The brief description of the themes and the identification of the respective proposing supervisory teams will be available on the UCIBIO Website: https://ucibio.pt/public_files/AIMfellowships/UCIBIO_AIM_fellowships_Theme_proposals.pdf, as well as on the application form.
5. Applicable Legislation
The awarding and contracting of the fellowship are governed by the Research Fellowship Statute (Law No. 40/2004 of August 18, as currently in force) and the FCT, I.P. Research Fellowship Regulations (Regulation No. 950/2019, as amended and republished by Notice No. 412/2026/2).
6. Place of Work
Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit (UCIBIO) - NOVA School of Science and Technology, which will be the host institution for the fellows, without prejudice to the work being carried out in collaboration between more than one institution.
7. Duration and Start
The fellowship has a duration of 6 (six) months, with an expected start in October 2026, and may be renewed, under the terms of the FCT, I.P. Research Fellowship Regulation, provided that the project remains active, funding is available, and other applicable legal and regulatory requirements are met.
In the case of fellows enrolled in a non-academic degree course, the maximum duration is 12 months.
8. Fellowship Amount
The monthly amount of the fellowship is 1,359.64 € (one thousand three hundred and fifty-nine euros and sixty-four cents), according to the FCT table in force, with payment made by bank transfer. The fellowship amount may be subject to an increase, under legally applicable terms.
9. Selection Method
The selection of candidates for the UCIBIO-AIM Fellowship occurs as follows:
Curricular Evaluation (AC): Evaluates the merit, Curriculum vitae, and motivation of the candidate, as well as their suitability for the scope of this fellowship program and particularly for the project(s) they expressed interest in.
Admitted applications will be scored in each of the evaluation criteria below. The evaluation criteria will have a duly justified quantitative and/or qualitative correspondence individually associated with each application according to the curricular evaluation (0 to 100 pts):
- 1.1 - Academic evaluation in the bachelor's and master's or integrated master's degree (0-50 pts);
- 1.2 - CV evaluation: details the academic, scientific, and professional path (0-30 pts);
- 1.3 - Motivation Letter evaluation: suitability of the profile and motivation for the selected topics, as well as in pursuing studies at the doctoral level (0-20 pts).
As a result of the curricular evaluation, candidates are ranked, and depending on the scientific themes in the call, the highest-ranked candidates will be called by the jury for an interview. All communications will be made by email with a minimum advance notice of 2 business days.
Interview (E): In the interviews, the candidate's performance in scientific, personal, and interpersonal aspects is evaluated, as well as their suitability for the projects they expressed interest in. The interview is conducted in English, in person or by videoconference, by an Evaluation Panel composed of the call's jury together with the supervisors of the projects they expressed interest in. The interview has a weight of 40% in the final evaluation of the applications. Candidates who do not attend the interview will be excluded from the selection.
The final classification (Cf) is the result of applying the following formula:
Cf = 0.6 x AC + 0.4 x E
For each of the themes published in the notice, the candidate with the highest classification will be chosen. In the absence of a candidate(s) with the appropriate profile for a given theme, the call's jury reserves the right not to select any candidate.
10. Jury
The jury consists of the following members from the NOVA School of Science and Technology:
- President – Doctor Teresa Gonçalves Pereira Sequeira Carlos Leitão Nogueira, Assistant Researcher;
- 1st Effective Member – Doctor José Joaquim Carvalho da Costa Braga, Assistant Researcher;
- 2nd Effective Member – Doctor Pedro Manuel Broa Costa, Assistant Professor;
- 1st Alternate Member – Doctor José Paulo Nunes de Sousa Sampaio, Full Professor;
- 2nd Alternate Member – Doctor Mário Emanuel Campos de Sousa Diniz, Associate Professor;
- 3rd Alternate Member – Doctor Paula Maria Theriaga Mendes Bernardo Gonçalves, Associate Professor;
- 4th Alternate Member – Doctor José Ricardo Ramos Franco Tavares, Associate Professor;
- 5th Alternate Member – Doctor Rui Manuel Freitas Oliveira, Full Professor;
- 6th Alternate Member – Doctor Sérgio Joaquim Raposo Filipe, Associate Professor;
- 7th Alternate Member – Doctor Sofia Rocha Pauleta, Associate Professor.
11. Deadline and Formalization of Applications
Candidates must submit their application at the following link: https://ucibio.pt/l/2026-aim-fellowships-applications
Application period: August 17 to September 16;
Mandatory documents (under penalty of exclusion):
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Motivation letter;
- Certificate(s) of academic qualifications***;
- Proof of enrollment in a study cycle or non-academic degree course***;
- Identification of two academic or professional references;
- Other documents considered relevant.
***As defined in number 2 of this Notice of Opening, the supporting documents for the respective eligibility criteria must be submitted no later than the grant contracting stage, however, at the application stage, they may be replaced by a declaration of honor (attached to the Call), in accordance with the applicable regulations.
12. Results
The evaluation results will be communicated to the candidates by email, under the terms provided for in this Notice of Opening, within a maximum period of 90 (ninety) business days after the end of the application submission period.
Under the terms of the Administrative Procedure Code, candidates have a period of 10 (ten) business days, counting from the first business day following the notification, to state their case, if they wish, in a prior hearing.
After analyzing the allegations presented, the final decision will be communicated to the candidates in writing.
A complaint may be lodged against the final decision within 15 (fifteen) business days, or a hierarchical appeal may be filed within 30 (thirty) business days, counting from the respective notification, under the terms of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. Research Fellowship Regulation.
Communications will be made to the email address indicated by the candidates at the time of application.
Where to apply
Website: https://ucibio.pt/l/2026-aim-fellowships-applications
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry » Biochemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 8
Company/Institute: Faculty of Science and Technology of NOVA University Lisbon
Country: Portugal
Geofield:
Contact
City: Caparica
Website: https://www.fct.unl.pt/
Street: Campus de Caparica
Postal Code: 2829-516
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