Research Fellowship (MSc) – Laboratory Merck Healthcare Satellite Lab – NabFABULOUS2026

iBET; Oeiras; On-site; EUR 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

iBET invites applications for a Research Fellowship (MSc) in Molecular Biophysics within the NabfabULOUS project. The role focuses on developing modular tools to enable cryo-EM studies of flexible protein complexes and support rational drug design in collaboration with the pharma industry.

The position is a 24-month fellowship, with potential renewal, starting 1 September 2026, in a research environment that blends academic rigor with industrial partnership, located in the Lisbon area (Oeiras).

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Biochemistry for Health or related field.
• Strong English (written and spoken).
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to pursue a PhD.
• Teamwork, critical thinking and responsibility valued.

Skills

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Responsibility

English proficiency

Autonomy

PhD aspiration

Education

Master’s degree in Biochemistry for Health

Tools

Protein expression in bacteria

Protein expression in mammalian cells

Protein expression in insect cells

Protein purification

SDS-PAGE

Western blot

Crystallography-grade protein prep

SPR

TSA

NanoDSF

NMR

Fluorescence

UV-Vis

DLS

Protein crystallization

Protein structural methods

Job description

Research Fellowship (MSc) – Laboratory Merck Healthcare Satellite Lab – NabFABULOUS2026

iBET, has an open position for a research fellowship in the field of Molecular Biophysics available within the project “A Modular Toolkit to Super-Size Protein Complexes for Cryo-EM”, Ref. NabfabULOUS – IBETXplore, financed by internal funds.

• Master’s degree in Biochemistry for Health, Biological Engineering, Clinical Biochemistry, or related areas.
• Teamwork spirit, critical thinking and a strong sense of responsibility will be highly valued.
• Working experience and solid knowledge in the following techniques will be valued:
• Protein expression in bacteria, mammalian and insect cells, including the design and execution of protein expression assays.
• Protein purification (affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and size-exclusion chromatography), purification analytics such as protein quantification, SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and preparation of protein complexes with crystallography-grade purity.
• Biophysical techniques applied to the characterization of protein preparations and protein-protein/protein-ligand interactions (e.g. SPR, TSA, NanoDSF, NMR, fluorescence, UV-Vis, DLS).
• Experience in Protein crystallization and Protein Structural Methods will be valued.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Capable of working in the lab autonomously and with minimum supervision
• Enthusiasm to proceed for a PhD

The objective of the project is to develop and characterize modular tools that support the structural characterization, by cryo‑electron microscopy, of proteins that exhibit high flexibility or dimensions that pose a challenge for cryo‑electron microscopy. This integrated approach will enable access to structural data on new therapeutic modalities, supporting rational drug design and the development of innovative therapies. These activities are part of a plan developed in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, involving a work environment within an industrial setting, with regular activities focused on communication and the presentation of results.

The fellowship will have a duration of 24months, eventually renewed until the end of project, without prejudice of the maximum limits foreseen by law. The expected starting date is 1 September 2026.

Does this sound like the right challenge for you?