Research Fellowship (BI) (Reference REQUIMTE 2026-61)

REQUIMTE - Rede de Quimica e Tecnologia; Portugal; Sur place; EUR 15 000 - 16 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

REQUIMTE - Rede de Quimica e Tecnologia invites applications for a 6-month Research Fellowship (BI) at Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde - Tecnologias e Processos Limpos, UID/50006/2020, funded by FCT/MECI. The project focuses on DES and THEDES synthesis and their use against tuberculosis, based at the University of Porto under Dr.

Mafalda Sarraguça. The stipend follows FCT rates (€1,359.64/month).

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemistry/Biochemistry or related field and enrollment in a doctoral program or non-degree course.
• Experience in synthesis of Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) and Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Solvents (THEDES).
• Foreign degree must comply with Decree-Law no. 66/2018 and related formalities at signature of Fellowship contract.

Responsabilités

• Synthesize and characterize DES with anti-tuberculosis drugs.
• Encapsulate DES-TB systems in solid lipid nanoparticles and assess biocompatibility.
• Evaluate anti-mycobacterial activity using in vitro and in vivo assays.
• Disseminate results through publications, seminars, and conferences.

Connaissances

DES synthesis

THEDES knowledge

Biochemistry techniques

Nanoparticle encapsulation

Formation

Master's degree in Chemistry/Biochemistry

Enrollment in doctoral program

Outils

FTIR

Thermal analysis

Nanoparticle production

Description du poste

Organisation/Company REQUIMTE - Rede de Quimica e Tecnologia Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 27 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time 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

A Research Fellowship (BI) (Reference REQUIMTE 2026-61) at Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde - Tecnologias e Processos Limpos - UID/50006/2020, with the financial support of the FCT/ MECI through national funds, is available at REQUIMTE.

Main research field: Chemistry/Health Sciences

Admission requirements: Master's degree in Chemistry/Biochemistry or related areas and enrollment in a doctoral program or enrollment/attendance of a non-degree course taught by a higher education institution in conjunction with an R&D unit. Experience in the synthesis of Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) and Therapeutic Deep Eutectic Solvents (THEDES).

In case the Master degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of August 16th, and all formalities established therein must be complied with at the signature of Fellowship contract.

Working plan: The candidate will be involved in the synthesis and characterization of Deep Eutectic Systems (DES) with anti-tuberculosis drugs. This includes synthesizing Therapeutic and Natural Deep Eutectic Systems (THEDESs and NADESs), investigating their physicochemical properties, such as thermal stability, molecular interactions, density, viscosity, pH, and water content, and assessing drug solubility. The candidate will also contribute to encapsulating these DES-TB systems within solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), followed by their characterization and evaluation of biocompatibility and anti-mycobacterial activity using in vitro and in vivo assays. Additionally, the candidate will assist in dissemination activities, helping to communicate project results through publications, seminars, and conferences.

Work Place: The work will be conducted at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, under the supervision of Dr. Mafalda Sarraguça.

Duration: The fellowship will last 6 months, may be renewable for equal additional periods, and is expected to start in November 2026.

Monthly stipend:

Monthly stipend is €1.359,64 according to the stipends established by FCT, I.P. in Portugal ( https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-202... ). Payment will be made by bank transfer on a monthly basis. The successful candidate will also be entitled to the reimbursement of Social Security payments (Seguro Social Voluntário) and work insurance.

Selection criteria: The selection methods will be:

1. Academic and scientific curriculum:

1. Consistency and quality of CV - 25%;

2. Scientific writing: articles and articles review - 10%.

3. Communications at scientific conferences - 15%;

2. Relevant experience, proven in the CV, in:

1. Synthesis and characterization of Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) - 15%;

2. Experience in characterization techniques such as FTIR and thermal analysis - 15%;

3. Experience in nanoplataforms production - 5%;

4. Experience in cell culture - 5%;

3. Letter of motivation - 10%.

Interview:

In the case of admitted candidates whose evaluation does not differ more than 10% from that obtained by the best positioned candidate, the jury will interview these candidates.

The interviews will be intended to obtain clarification and explanations of the curricular elements presented and additional information, as well as to evaluate the attitude and motivation of the candidates.

The evaluation factors of the selection interview will be (scale from 0 to 20 points):

1. Specific knowledge for the implementation of the work plan (0 to 10 points);

2. Attitude and availability (0 to 4 points);

3. Communication skills (0 to 3 points);

4. Motivation for the planned activities (0 to 3 points).

In this situation, the final classification will be obtained by the following formula: 0.7 x Curricular Evaluation + 0.3 x Interview, on a scale from 0 to 100 points.

The jury will not award the current scholarship to candidates with a final classification lower than 50%.

Jury composition:

Publicity and communication of results: The ranking of applications will be published at a visible and public area of REQUIMTE facilities, and all candidates will be informed by email about the result of their application.

Application:

The call for applications is open between 14/10/2026 and 27/10/2026.