Call for Applications for a Research Grant (BI) - LIG2SKIN

Instituto Politécnico de Bragança; Portugal; On-site; EUR 11,000 - 13,000; Part time

Job summary

O Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, através do Gabinete de Apoio a Projetos, abre uma bolsa de Investigação BI no âmbito do projeto LIG2SKIN, financiado por la Caixa/ FCT, com início previsto em 24/11/2026 e duração de 12 meses. O estágio foca-se em sólidos académicos, trabalho laboratorial e avaliação de candidaturas.

A bolsa envolve supervisão científica do Mountain Research Center e oferece apoio de seguro e possibilidades de integração no âmbito da valorização de lignina para cosméticos.

Qualifications

• Estudante matriculado num mestrado em Engenharia Química.
• Adequação da formação e experiência aos objetivos do trabalho.
• Experiência laboratorial no desenvolvimento e caracterização de partículas para emulsões Pickering para aplicações cosméticas.

Responsibilities

• Desenvolvimento e caracterização de partículas de lignina como estabilizadores de Pickering.
• Produção e caracterização de emulsões estáveis com as partículas desenvolvidas.
• Desenvolvimento e caracterização de produtos cosméticos.

Skills

Experiência Laboratorial

Caracterização de partículas

Emulsões Pickering

Cosméticos

Education

Mestrado em Engenharia Química

Tools

Técnicas de laboratório

Job description

Organisation/Company Instituto Politécnico de Bragança Department Gabinete de Apoio a Projetos Research Field Engineering » Chemical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 20 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 24 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number P581245 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A call for applications is open for a Research Grant (BI) within the scope of the project “LIG2SKIN - Innovation in sustainable cosmetic ingredients from lignin”, funded by the “la Caixa” Foundation and FCT through the Promove Program (Call 2026 – Mobilizing Projects)”, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area:

Chemical Engineering

2. Admission Requirements:

1) Student enrolled in a Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering; 2) Suitability of the candidate's training and experience to the objectives of the work to be developed; 3) Laboratory experience in the development and characterization of particles aimed at the development of Pickering emulsions for cosmetic application.

3. Work Plan:

The grant holder's main functions will be: 1) Development and characterization of lignin particles as Pickering stabilizers; 2) Production and characterization of emulsions stabilized by the developed particles; 3) Development of cosmetic products and their characterization.

4. Objectives:

The Lig2Skin project aims to valorize lignin, a component of plant biomass, including that of agricultural origin, converting it into a multifunctional natural ingredient (emulsifier, antioxidant, UV protector and thickener) for the biocosmetics market.

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

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 the Mountain Research Center, under the scientific supervision of Filomena Barreiro.

The grant will have an initial duration of 12 months, with a planned start date of 24/11/2026 (non-renewable).

8. Monthly Maintenance Allowance Amount:

The grant amount corresponds to 1090.98€, 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 the right to social security by joining the 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 valuations:

The selection methods to be used will be the following:

a) Curriculum evaluation and its suitability for the work in question (50%);

b) Laboratory experience in the development and characterization of particles aimed at the development of Pickering emulsions for cosmetic application (50%).

If none of the candidates possess the profile indicated for carrying out the work plan (minimum score of 12 out of 20), the jury reserves the right not to award the grant.

10. Composition of the Selection Jury:

Filomena Barreiro (President of the Panel), Giovana Colucci (Member), Paula Matos (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 means of notification via email.

The competition is open from 09/11/2026 to 20/11/2026.

14. Deadlines and procedures for complaints and appeals:

If the decision to be made 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 their opinion, 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.

The LIG2SKIN project aims to valorize lignin, a component of plant biomass, including agricultural biomass, by converting it into a multifunctional natural ingredient (emulsifying, antioxidant, UV-protective, and thickener) for the biocosmetics market. The work plan will comprise: 1) Development and characterization of lignin particles as Pickering stabilizers; 2) Production and characterization of emulsions stabilized by the developed particles; 3) Development and characterization of cosmetic products.

Specific Requirements

1) Student enrolled in a Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering; 2) Adequacy of the candidate's training and experience to the objectives of the work to be developed; 3) Laboratory experience in the development and characterization of particles for the formulation of Pickering emulsions for cosmetic applications.

Languages PORTUGUESE Level Excellent

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

The grant amount corresponds to 1090.98€, 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 the right to social security by joining the 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

1) Student enrolled in a Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering; 2) Suitability of the candidate's training and experience to the objectives of the work to be developed; 3) Laboratory experience in the development and characterization of particles aimed at the development of Pickering emulsions for cosmetic application.

Selection process

a) Assessment of the candidate’s academic and professional background and its relevance to
the work to be carried out (50%);
b) Laboratory experience in the development and characterization of particles for the formulation
of Pickering emulsions for cosmetic applications (50%).
If none of the candidates meets the required profile for carrying out the proposed work plan
(minimum score of 12 out of 20), the selection committee reserves the right not to award the
research grant.

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.