11 Sep 2026
Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança
- Department: Gabinete de Apoio a Projetos
- Research Field: Biological sciences » Biodiversity
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: Bachelor Positions
- Application Deadline: 5 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)
- Country: Portugal
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours Per Week: 35
- Offer Starting Date: 7 Oct 2026
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme
Offer Description
A call for applications is open for a Research Initiation Grant (BII) within the scope of the “PAS-AGRO-PAS” Project, funded by the “Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)”, under the following conditions:
1. Scientific Area:
Biology and Biotechnology
2. Admission Requirements:
Candidates must:
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate program in the areas of Biology and Biotechnology, Animal Science, Agronomy or related fields;
- Have experience in the cultivation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Portuguese fermented sausages.
3. Work Plan:
Title
Cultivation and characterization of the growth of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Portuguese fermented sausages
Work Plan
The grant holder will participate in the activation and cultivation of bacterial strains, including the recovery of cultures, preparation of pre-cultures and inocula and their respective standardization. Growth assays will be carried out under previously defined conditions, monitoring the evolution of the cultures through optical density measurements by spectrophotometry and obtaining the respective growth curves.
The experimental data obtained will be organized and processed systematically, proceeding with the descriptive analysis of the growth curves and the comparison of the behavior of the different strains evaluated. The grant holder will also participate in the research team meetings and collaborate in the interpretation and discussion of the results obtained.
At the end of the grant period, a report will be prepared detailing the activities carried out and the main results achieved. The grant holder may collaborate in the preparation of scientific communications or other dissemination products resulting from the work performed.
Expected Results
It is expected to obtain experimental information that will allow for a deeper characterization of the growth of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Portuguese fermented sausages. The work should also contribute to the consolidation of the grant holder's skills in bacterial culture, monitoring of growth curves, spectrophotometry, organization and analysis of experimental data, and interpretation of microbiological results.
4. Objectives:
The main objective of the work plan is to develop research activities in the field of cultivation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Portuguese fermented products, contributing to their phenotypic and kinetic characterization.
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 CIMO, under the scientific supervision of Vasco Cadavez and Ursula Gonzales Barron.
7. Grant Duration:
The grant will have an initial duration of 8 months, with a start date scheduled for October 7, 2026 (non-renewable).
8. Monthly Maintenance Allowance Amount:
The grant amount corresponds to 701.12€, 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 their right to social security by joining a 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 weighting:
The selection methods to be used will be as follows:
a) Quality of the CV and suitability to the work plan - 40%
b) Experience in laboratory microbiology techniques, namely cultivation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria - 40%
c) Other relevant elements - 20%
If deemed necessary, an interview may be conducted.
10. Composition of the Selection Jury:
- Vasco Cadavez (President)
- Úrsula Gonzales Barron (Member)
- Fernando Monteiro (Member)
11. Method of publication/notification of results:
The communications and 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 from September 21, 2026 to October 5, 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 application 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 to be recognized by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16, and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25. The presentation of the recognition is mandatory for the signing of the contract.
14. Deadlines and procedures for complaints and appeals:
If the decision to be taken 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 themselves, 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.unipb.pt/ui/#/public/concursos/detalhe/1089
Requirements
- Research Field: Biological sciences » Biodiversity
- Education Level: Undergraduate
Skills/Qualifications
Candidates must be enrolled in a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Biotechnology, Animal Science, Agronomy, or a related field. Previous laboratory experience in microbiology is required, particularly in the cultivation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria. Candidates should have experience with bacterial culture techniques, preparation of inocula, spectrophotometric measurements, growth curve monitoring, and laboratory data recording and analysis.
Specific Requirements
Previous experience in the cultivation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Portuguese fermented sausages is required. The candidate should be able to work independently in a microbiology laboratory, accurately record experimental data, follow established experimental protocols, and collaborate effectively within a research team.
Languages:
- PORTUGUESE — Level: Excellent
- ENGLISH — Level: Good
Additional Information
Benefits
The grant amount corresponds to 701.12€, 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 their right to social security by joining a 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
Candidates must:
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate program in the areas of Biology and Biotechnology, Animal Science, Agronomy or related fields;
- Have experience in the cultivation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional Portuguese fermented sausages.
Selection process
Candidates will be assessed according to the following criteria: Quality of the Curriculum Vitae and suitability for the proposed work plan - 40%; Experience in microbiology laboratory techniques, namely the cultivation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria -40%; Other relevant elements - 20%. An interview may be conducted if considered necessary by the Selection Committee.
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.unipb.pt/ui/#/public/concursos/detalhe/1089
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança - CIMO
- 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: vcadavez@ipb.pt
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