Research Grant (BI), for the conduct of R&D activities by a graduate with a Master degree enrolled in a Course non-leading to an academic degree

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology; Chemistry » Biochemistry

Researcher Profile: Other Profession

Positions: Master Positions

Application Deadline: 16 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)

Country: Portugal

Type of Contract: Not Applicable

Job Status: Not Applicable

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

There is an open call for applications for a Research Grant (BI), for the conduct of R&D activities by a graduate with a Master degree enrolled in a Course non-leading to an academic degree, under reference SF/2026/22 in the scope of the 2024.15825.PEX - MT_Makeover project, at the institution Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), supported by income from the above mentioned project, financed by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.) under the following conditions:

Field of study

Biochemistry, Cellular and Developmental Biology and related fields

Admission requirements (eligibility criteria)

1. Master degree completed by the application submission date in Biochemistry, Biology, or related fields;
2. Enrollment in a Course non-leading to an academic degree, in the area of Research Training or related fields.

Work plan

The selected fellow will join the project as a researcher and perform the following tasks under the scientific guidance and supervision of the project's Principal Investigators:

a) Maintain and manipulate Drosophila melanogaster stocks required for the project;

b) Perform Drosophila ovary dissections and prepare samples for biochemical and molecular analyses;

c) Perform and optimize protein-based assays, including protein extraction, immunoprecipitation and Western blotting;

d) Prepare samples for proteomic analyses and contribute to the analysis and interpretation of experimental results;

e) Perform immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy to characterize the localization of selected proteins;

f) Maintain detailed records of experimental procedures and results and contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations and scientific documentation.

Place of work

The work will be carried out at the facilities of the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas | NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), in the research group "Cytoskeleton in Development and Disease" under the scientific supervision of Doctor Ana Pimenta-Marques, as well as other locations necessary for the preparation and implementation of the project activities.

Duration and start date

The fellowship will have an initial duration of 6 months, with an estimated start date of November 16, 2026. The fellowship contract may be renewed for an equal or different period until the project ends, provided the eligibility requirements for its granting are met at the time of renewal.

Monthly maintenance allowance

The fellowship stipend 1.359,64€ (one thousand three hundred fifty-nine euros and sixty-four cents) per month, in accordance with the fellowship values listed in Annex I of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Research Fellowship Regulation. This amount includes personal accident insurance and, if applicable, voluntary social security corresponding to the first contribution tier, provided the fellowship duration is longer than 6 months. Payment will be made via bank transfer.

Legislation and applicable regulations:

The fellowship is legally governed by the Research Fellow Statute (Law no. 40/2004, of August 18), available at https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/lei/2004-58216179, and the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Research Fellowship Regulation (Dispatch no. 9484/2023, of August 14), available at https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/9484-2023-221611620.

Selection Methods

1. The selection methods include the evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background," weighted at 50%, and the "professional selection interview," weighted at 50%.
2. The application of the selection methods will be phased, as described below.
3. The evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background" will focus on the relevance, quality, timeliness, specific knowledge, and proven prior experience, based on the application documents and in accordance with the following criteria:
4. a) Laboratory experience in biochemistry techniques, including protein extraction, Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitations – 50%;
5. b) Laboratory experience with Drosophila melanogaster genetics as a model system – 15%;
6. c) Laboratory experience with immunofluorescence and microscopy analysis – 15%;
7. d) Communication skills in Portuguese and English, and suitability for integration into the research team – 20%.
8. The evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background" will be expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 20.
9. The evaluation process includes a "professional selection interview", in which all information submitted in the application will be reviewed, aiming to obtain any necessary clarifications and explanations. This phase is part of the final evaluation.
10. In the «professional selection interview», which lasts up to 20 minutes, the following parameters and evaluation criteria will be applied:
11. a) Depth of scientific knowledge of biochemical techniques – 30%;
12. b) Depth of scientific knowledge of cytoskeleton cell biology 25%;
13. c) Ability to work independently and motivation to contribute to the project – 25%;
14. d) Communication skills in Portuguese and English, and suitability for integration into the research team – 20%.
15. The evaluation of the «professional selection interview» is expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 20 points.
16. The evaluation method involving the "professional selection interview" may be waived by the unanimous and duly justified decision of the Jury, in which case the evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background" will account for 100%.
17. The Jury will deliberate through a nominal vote based on the evaluation criteria. Abstentions are not permitted.
18. Each candidate's final score will be the average of the scores assigned by each Jury member. To be selected, the candidate must achieve a final score of 15 or higher. In case of a tie, the Jury Chair will decide.
19. The Jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship if it considers that no candidate meets the required profile.

Selection Jury

• President of the Jury – Ana Pimenta-Marques, Investigadora Auxiliar, FCM|NMS;
• 1st Effective Jury Member – Catarina Homem, Investigadora Principal, FCM|NMS;
• 2nd Effective Jury Member – César Mendes, Professor Auxiliar, FCM|NMS;
• 1st Alternate Jury Member – Rita Teodoro, Professora Auxiliar, FCM|NMS;
• 2nd Alternate Jury Member – Guadalupe Cabral, Investigadora Principal, FCM|NMS.

Formalization and submission of applications

Applications, which may be submitted in Portuguese or English, must be sent by email to candidaturas.investigacao@nms.unl.pt, with the following reference in the subject line SF/2026/22. The following documents must be included in PDF format, under penalty of exclusion:

1. A motivation letter of up to 500 words;
2. A detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae that meets the application requirements;
3. Academic degree certificates; in the case of degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions, the candidate must comply with the provisions set out in point 3 of the section "Additional Provisions on Mandatory Documentation";
4. Proof of enrollment in a «Course non-leading to an academic degree» are those provided for in paragraph (e) of no. 3 of Article 4 of Decree-Law no. 74/2006, of 24 March, as amended; or, in its absence, the Declaration of Honour, duly completed and signed.
5. Application form, duly completed and signed – https://www.nms.unl.pt/pt-pt/faculdade/junte-se-a-nms/recrutamento?category=4348;
6. Other relevant documents for assessing the requested profile.

Additional provisions on mandatory documentation:

1. Completion of the required academic degree – If the candidate has already completed the academic degree required in the Notice of Opening but does not yet have the respective certificates or official proof, they may submit, at the time of application, a declaration of honour stating their commitment to present the completion certificate by the date of the fellowship contract, should they be selected.
2. Enrollment in an academic program – If the candidate does not yet have proof of enrollment in the academic program defined in point 2 of the "Admission Requirements," they must submit, at the time of application, a declaration of honour, duly completed and signed. The template is included in the Application Form. The proof of enrollment must be submitted by the date of the fellowship contract.
3. Recognition of foreign degrees – In the case of academic degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions, the submission of the respective specific recognition is mandatory, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019 of January 25. If the recognition is not available at the time of application, a Declaration of Honor may be submitted, committing to submit it before the grant contract. More information available at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento?plid=374
4. Condition for grant contract – The signature of the grant contract is subject to the prior submission of the documents listed in items 1, 2, and 3. Failure to submit any of these documents by the date of grant award may result in non-contracting, pursuant to Article 18(6) of the Research Grant Regulations of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.

Application period

The competition is open from 01/10/2026 to 16/10/2026 until 11:59 p.m. (Lisbon time) and is published at https://www.nms.unl.pt/en-us/NMS/Join-NMS/Recruiting (English and Portuguese versions, respectively).

Result announcement/notification

Under Article 15 of the Research Scholarship Regulations of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, evaluation results will be communicated by email to all candidates within 60 business days after the application submission deadline.

Candidates whose applications are unsuccessful may respond within 10 business days to the notification during the preliminary hearing, under the provisions of the Portuguese Administrative Procedure Code. Otherwise, the result will constitute the final decision.

Appeals or complaints regarding the final results may be submitted within 10 business days after their communication and must be addressed to the Dean of FCM|NMS.

Additional information

1. In the event of withdrawal or resignation by the selected candidate or failure to submit the required recognition of qualifications or proof of enrollment, the next highest-ranked candidate may be contacted to sign the scholarship contract, provided all requirements in this Notice are met.
2. Scholarships may be renewed for additional periods, up to the following maximum durations:
3. a) One year for scholarships awarded to bachelor's or master's degree holders enrolled in non-degree programs;
4. b) Two years for master's degree students;
5. c) Four years for doctoral students.
6. If the academic degree or diploma is awarded during the scholarship contract period, the scholarship may continue under the terms specifically defined in the contract.
7. Research scholarships granted to bachelor's or master's degree holders enrolled in non-degree programs may only be awarded to candidates who do not exceed a total accumulated period of two years in this scholarship category, whether consecutive or intermittent.

Non-discrimination and equal access policy

The Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School, a unit of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access. No candidate will be privileged, benefited, disadvantaged, deprived of any rights, or exempted from any duties based on ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic status, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic or racial origin, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership.

Lisbon, september 30, 2026 - The Director, Professor Doctor Pedro Manuel Sarmento Rodrigues Póvoa

Where to apply

E-mail: candidaturas.investigacao@nms.unl.pt

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Chemistry » Biochemistry

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Biological sciences » Other

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa.

Country: Portugal

Contact

City: Lisboa

Website: https://www.nms.unl.pt/pt-pt/nms

Street: Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, n.º 130

E-Mail: candidaturas.investigacao@nms.unl.pt