Job Information
- Organisation/Company: INESC MN
- Research Field: Engineering » Biomedical engineering
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: Master Positions
- Application Deadline: 10 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)
- Country: Portugal
- Type of Contract: Other
- Type of Contract Extra Information: Research Grant
- Job Status: Full-time
- Offer Starting Date: 28 Aug 2026
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Other EU programme
Offer Description
INESC MICROSISTEMAS E NANOTECNOLOGIAS - Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores para os Microsistemas e as Nanotecnologias, a private, non-profit association, with the status of public interest institution is opening a call for 2 (two) Research Grant (BI) positions. The positions will perform research within the scope of the FCT project MIDIFRUIT (DOI https://doi.org/10.54499/2023.16677.ICDT) under the following conditions:
DURATION of the grant
- 3 months non-renewable
- Starting within October – November 2026
LEGISLATION
Regulamento de Bolsas de Investigação da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.
MONTHLY RENUMERATION
The value of the grant is defined by the Fundação para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, in https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf
The monthly pay shall be paid by bank transfer.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the position are to support the research team in the MIDIFRUIT project on the following tasks:
GRANT 1
- Microfluidic gene detection assay development and device Integration, including isothermal amplification of nucleic acids
- Development of an integrated portable point-of-use system
- Point-of-use microfluidic system optimization and calibration
- Chip in lab performance tests
- Contribute to the reports and project meetings with results and small reports.
- Cooperate with the project team members of the consortium to optimize the applicability of the developed sensors, microfluidics, and integrated systems
GRANT 2
- Development of an integrated portable point-of-use system for biodetection, including novel materials for microfluidic chips
- Point-of-use microfluidic system optimization and calibration
- Chip in lab performance tests
- Contribute to the reports and project meetings with results and small reports.
- Cooperate with the project team members of the consortium to optimize the applicability of the developed sensors, microfluidics, and integrated systems
SCIENTIFIC SUPERVISION
The PhD research will be supervised by Prof. João Pedro Conde.
The successful candidates will be integrated in the INESC-MN team in Lisbon, and the candidates must be registered as PhD students in the Doctoral program of Bioengineering and Biosciences at Instituto Superior Técnico.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - Required education Level and research experience
The candidates must have:
GRANT 1:
- Master’s degree in biomedical engineering, biological engineering, engineering physics or similar
- Demonstrated experience in microfluidic systems design, fabrication and operation
- Demonstrated experience in bioassays for nucleic acid detection.
GRANT 2:
- Master’s degree in biomedical engineering, biological engineering, engineering physics, or similar
- Demonstrated experience in microfluidic systems design, fabrication, and operation
- Demonstrated experience in cleanroom micro- and nanofabrication.
The candidates should be dynamic and proactive in problem-solving and capable of working in a goal-oriented environment and be able to communicate effectively with colleagues.
Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated knowledge in the development of biosensing strategies in microfluidic systems.
EVALUATION CRITERIA AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE
The selection will be based on the following criteria:
- 10%: motivation letter
- 50%: technical competences
- 40%: academic grades
The jury may also decide not to assign the position if none of the candidates meets the required conditions
The jury is composed of:
- Virginia Chu — Senior Researcher — INESC MN
- Ricardo Cabeça — Technology Coordinator — INESC MN
- Catarina Caneira — Researcher — INESC MN
COMPLAINT AND APPEAL DEADLINES AND PROCEDURES
The jury reserves the right not to select a candidate who does not prove the requirements mentioned in required education Level and research experience.
The admitted and excluded candidates will be notified by email of the final ranking list, including the copy of the Preliminary Report of the Jury.
Prior Hearing and Deadline for Final Decision: after being notified, candidates have 10 working days to submit, if applicable, a formal rebuttal.
After that period, the jury notifies the candidates of the Final Report.
Excluded applicants may complain about the jury's final report for 15 working days after notification or appeal the jury's decision to the INESC MN Board of Directors for 30 working days after notification.
According to the Portuguese Law, a disabled candidate has a preference when in equal classification, which prevails over any other legal preference. Candidates must declare their respective degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication / expression to be used in the selection process, under the law.
FORMALISATION OF APPLICATIONS
Applications are formalised by sending an email to vchu@inesc-mn.pt with the documents (in pdf) stated below. The subject of the email should reference “Application to BD-MIDIFRUIT”.
The application email should clearly state the reference of the research grant (Reference: MIDIFRUIT_3).
- detailed curriculum vitae (including grades)
- motivation letter describing how the candidate fits the eligibility criteria and matches the preference factors
- single copy of official academic degree certificate required in education level (master’s degree)
For candidates with degrees granted by foreign higher education institutions it is mandatory to have a degree or diploma recognition by a Portuguese higher education institution.
APPLICATION DATES
The application period is from 28 August to 10 September 2026
Where to apply
- E-mail: vchu@inesc-mn.pt
Requirements
- Research Field: Engineering » Biomedical engineering
- Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
GRANT 1:
- Microfluidic gene detection assay development and device Integration, including isothermal amplification of nucleic acids
- Development of an integrated portable point-of-use system
- Point-of-use microfluidic system optimization and calibration
- Chip in lab performance tests
- Contribute to the reports and project meetings with results and small reports.
- Cooperate with the project team members of the consortium to optimize the applicability of the developed sensors, microfluidics, and integrated systems
GRANT 2:
- Development of an integrated portable point-of-use system for biodetection, including novel materials for microfluidic chips
- Point-of-use microfluidic system optimization and calibration
- Chip in lab performance tests
- Contribute to the reports and project meetings with results and small reports.
- Cooperate with the project team members of the consortium to optimize the applicability of the developed sensors, microfluidics, and integrated systems
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 2
- Company/Institute: INESC MN
- Country: Portugal
Contact
- City: Lisbon
- Website: http://www.inesc-mn.pt
- Street: Rua Alves Redol, 9
- Postal Code: 1000-029
- E-Mail: vchu@inesc-mn.pt