Scientific area: Biotechnology

Admission requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy.
• Work and/or research experience related to the application of microbial-based biostimulants in agronomically important species.
• Experience in conducting germination trials, as well as establishing and monitoring pot experiments.
• Experience in the assessment of physiological parameters and laboratory techniques in plant biochemistry.

As set forth FCT Research Scholarship Regulation No. 950/2019 of December 16, 2019, article 3 and 6, candidates for “BI” (Research Grants) must comply as a rule condition for the award of the scholarship, the effective inclusion in study cycles leading to the attribution of academic degrees or in courses not leading to an academic degree. Courses that do not confer an academic degree correspond to the courses provided for in subparagraph e) of paragraph 3 of article 4 of Decree-Law No. 74/2006 of 24 March and must be developed in a higher education institution in association with at least one R&D unit, including a course plan in one or several research areas of the unit.

Work plan:

The work plan for this research fellowship consists of:

1. Establishment of germination trials and assessment of seed vigour, including determination of germination percentage, germination speed index, and biometric parameters.
2. Establishment and monitoring of pot experiments under controlled conditions, including treatment application and monitoring of plant growth.
3. Assessment of physiological parameters associated with plant responses to biostimulants.
4. Determination of biochemical parameters, namely quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS), assessment of antioxidant enzyme activity, and protein quantification.
5. Preparation of reports and contribution to the writing of scientific and outreach articles.

The ultimate goal of this work is to characterize carob leaf extracts in terms of their metabolomic and microbial composition; assess their production potential under in vitro conditions; and evaluate their applicability in the phytopharmaceutical industry.

Applicable legislation and regulations: The granting of the Research Scholarship will be carried out upon the signing of a contract between the University of Évora and the scholarship holder, according to the version in Annex I, pursuant to the Research Scholarship Statute (Law no. 40/2004 of August 18, as amended) and considering the provisions of other applicable legislation and regulations, namely, the Research Grant Regulations of the University of Évora (published by Order no. 8131/2024, of July 22, 2024), and the Research Grant Regulations of the Science and Technology Foundation, I.P. (Regulation no. 950/2019, of July 22, 2024). nº 8131/2024, of July 22, 2024), https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/2s/2024/07/140000000/0035300366.pdf and in the Research Grants Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Regulation no. 950/2019, of December 16, as amended).

Place of work: The work will be developed at Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology and Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MED) of the University of Évora, under the general coordination of the Rector of the University of Évora and the scientific guidance of the Professor Hélia Cardoso, who must draw up an opinion on the final activity report of the scholarship (Annex II), according to the draft in Annex III.

Duration of the scholarship(s): The scholarship will have a duration of 09 months, starting on October of 2026. The scholarship contract may be renewed up until the end of the funding project's budget allocation, always taking into account the maximum duration for each type of scholarship, in accordance with Article 14 of the Research Grant Regulations of the University of Évora.

Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the scholarship corresponds to €1090,98, according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf), payments being made monthly, by check or bank transfer.

Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following:

• Curriculum evaluation, 40%
• Interview, 40%
• Experience in the field of plant biotechnology, 20%

Composition of the Selection Jury:

President of the Jury: Profa. Doutora Hélia Cardoso

1º Effective member – Doutora Lénia Rodrigues

2º Effective member – Doutora Maria Catarina Campos

1º Alternate member – Prof. Doutor Augusto Peixe

2º Alternate member – Profa. Doutora Ana Elisa Rato

Advertising/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation will be publicized, through an ordered list alphabetically posted in a visible and public place at MED, being the candidate (a) approved notified through email.

To ensure the right of prior hearing of interested parties, the Final Classification project will be announced by any written means to all interested parties.

After communicating the provisional list of the results of the evaluation, candidates have a period of 10 working days to express their opinion in a preliminary hearing of interested parties. Based on the final ranking list, a reserve selection list will be drawn up, to be used for the possible recruitment of new scholarship holders within the scope of this project, up to the duration of the scholarship, which may be used in the eventuality of the first ranked candidate withdrawing, failing to present the mandatory documentation, or in the event of the scholarship holder canceling their scholarship early. In the eventuality that none of the candidates demonstrates the profile required to carry out the work plan, the jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship.

Application deadline and submission of applications: The tender is open from 1 to 14 of September of 2026 and the results of the selection will be published by 16 of September of 2026.

Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application letter with the following documents: Curriculum Vitae, certificate of qualifications, two recommendation letters and one motivation letter.

For the purposes of application, the evidence may be replaced by a declaration of honor signed by the candidate, but the failure to demonstrate that evidence, in the contracting phase, possession of the required degree on the deadline for application or the non-presentation of proof of enrollment in the study cycle or non-degree course, for scholarships with this component, imply the cancellation of the candidate's application.

Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require registration by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25th.

The presentation of the certificate is mandatory for the signing of the contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/recognition?plid=374

Applications must be sent by email (subject: FERTIUBIOMA) to:

Prof. Hélia Cardoso

MED, Dep. of Biology of the University of Évora

email: hcardoso@uevora.pt

Where to apply

E-mail: hcardoso@uevora.pt

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Universidade de Évora

Country: Portugal

State/Province: Évora

City: Évora

Postal Code: 7000-803

Street: Largo dos Colegiais, 2

Contact

State/Province: Alentejo

City: Évora

Website: https://www.uevora.pt/investigar/Oportunidades-de-Investigacao/concursos-bolsas-id

Street: Largo dos Colegais, nº. 2

Postal Code: 7000-803

E-Mail: hcardoso@uevora.pt

Scientific area: Biotechnology

Admission requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy.
• Work and/or research experience related to the application of microbial-based biostimulants in agronomically important species.
• Experience in conducting germination trials, as well as establishing and monitoring pot experiments.
• Experience in the assessment of physiological parameters and laboratory techniques in plant biochemistry.

As set forth FCT Research Scholarship Regulation No. 950/2019 of December 16, 2019, article 3 and 6, candidates for “BI” (Research Grants) must comply as a rule condition for the award of the scholarship, the effective inclusion in study cycles leading to the attribution of academic degrees or in courses not leading to an academic degree. Courses that do not confer an academic degree correspond to the courses provided for in subparagraph e) of paragraph 3 of article 4 of Decree-Law No. 74/2006 of 24 March and must be developed in a higher education institution in association with at least one R&D unit, including a course plan in one or several research areas of the unit.

Work plan:

The work plan for this research fellowship consists of:

1. Establishment of germination trials and assessment of seed vigour, including determination of germination percentage, germination speed index, and biometric parameters.
2. Establishment and monitoring of pot experiments under controlled conditions, including treatment application and monitoring of plant growth.
3. Assessment of physiological parameters associated with plant responses to biostimulants.
4. Determination of biochemical parameters, namely quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS), assessment of antioxidant enzyme activity, and protein quantification.
5. Preparation of reports and contribution to the writing of scientific and outreach articles.

The ultimate goal of this work is to characterize carob leaf extracts in terms of their metabolomic and microbial composition; assess their production potential under in vitro conditions; and evaluate their applicability in the phytopharmaceutical industry.

Applicable legislation and regulations: The granting of the Research Scholarship will be carried out upon the signing of a contract between the University of Évora and the scholarship holder, according to the version in Annex I, pursuant to the Research Scholarship Statute (Law no. 40/2004 of August 18, as amended) and considering the provisions of other applicable legislation and regulations, namely, the Research Grant Regulations of the University of Évora (published by Order no. 8131/2024, of July 22, 2024), and the Research Grant Regulations of the Science and Technology Foundation, I.P. (Regulation no. 950/2019, of July 22, 2024). nº 8131/2024, of July 22, 2024), https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/2s/2024/07/140000000/0035300366.pdf and in the Research Grants Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Regulation no. 950/2019, of December 16, as amended).

Place of work: The work will be developed at Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology and Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MED) of the University of Évora, under the general coordination of the Rector of the University of Évora and the scientific guidance of the Professor Hélia Cardoso, who must draw up an opinion on the final activity report of the scholarship (Annex II), according to the draft in Annex III.

Duration of the scholarship(s): The scholarship will have a duration of 09 months, starting on October of 2026. The scholarship contract may be renewed up until the end of the funding project's budget allocation, always taking into account the maximum duration for each type of scholarship, in accordance with Article 14 of the Research Grant Regulations of the University of Évora.

Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the scholarship corresponds to €1090,98, according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf), payments being made monthly, by check or bank transfer.

Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following:

• Curriculum evaluation, 40%
• Interview, 40%
• Experience in the field of plant biotechnology, 20%

Composition of the Selection Jury:

President of the Jury: Profa. Doutora Hélia Cardoso

1º Effective member – Doutora Lénia Rodrigues

2º Effective member – Doutora Maria Catarina Campos

1º Alternate member – Prof. Doutor Augusto Peixe

2º Alternate member – Profa. Doutora Ana Elisa Rato

Advertising/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation will be publicized, through an ordered list alphabetically posted in a visible and public place at MED, being the candidate (a) approved notified through email.

To ensure the right of prior hearing of interested parties, the Final Classification project will be announced by any written means to all interested parties.

After communicating the provisional list of the results of the evaluation, candidates have a period of 10 working days to express their opinion in a preliminary hearing of interested parties. Based on the final ranking list, a reserve selection list will be drawn up, to be used for the possible recruitment of new scholarship holders within the scope of this project, up to the duration of the scholarship, which may be used in the eventuality of the first ranked candidate withdrawing, failing to present the mandatory documentation, or in the event of the scholarship holder canceling their scholarship early. In the eventuality that none of the candidates demonstrates the profile required to carry out the work plan, the jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship.

Application deadline and submission of applications: The tender is open from 1 to 14 of September of 2026 and the results of the selection will be published by 16 of September of 2026.

Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application letter with the following documents: Curriculum Vitae, certificate of qualifications, two recommendation letters and one motivation letter.

For the purposes of application, the evidence may be replaced by a declaration of honor signed by the candidate, but the failure to demonstrate that evidence, in the contracting phase, possession of the required degree on the deadline for application or the non-presentation of proof of enrollment in the study cycle or non-degree course, for scholarships with this component, imply the cancellation of the candidate's application.

Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require registration by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25th.

The presentation of the certificate is mandatory for the signing of the contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/recognition?plid=374

Applications must be sent by email (subject: FERTIUBIOMA) to:

Prof. Hélia Cardoso

MED, Dep. of Biology of the University of Évora

email: hcardoso@uevora.pt

Where to apply

E-mail: hcardoso@uevora.pt

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Universidade de Évora

Country: Portugal

State/Province: Évora

City: Évora

Postal Code: 7000-803

Street: Largo dos Colegiais, 2

Contact

State/Province: Alentejo

City: Évora

Website: https://www.uevora.pt/investigar/Oportunidades-de-Investigacao/concursos-bolsas-id

Street: Largo dos Colegais, nº. 2

Postal Code: 7000-803

E-Mail: hcardoso@uevora.pt