Research Grant (Ref. BI/CESAM/PlasticBug/2026)

University of Aveiro; Portugal; On-site; EUR 12,000 - 13,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Aveiro, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), invites applications for a Research Grant in Microbiology under the PLASTICBUG project. The fellowship will assess microplastics as vectors for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and involves experimental assays, sample collection, and genomic analyses starting 1 January 2027.

The grant lasts 12 months with a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,090.98.

Qualifications

• Masters in Microbiology with high grade requirement.
• Degree in Biomedical Sciences or Biology with 16/20+ grade.

Responsibilities

• Join the PLASTICBUG project team and participate in experimental assays, sample collection and processing.
• Conduct microbiological and molecular analyses, including genomic/metagenomic data processing.
• Perform statistical analyses and data integration using R and bioinformatics tools.
• Collaborate with project partners and contribute to dissemination of results.

Skills

Microbiology

Biofilm techniques

DNA extraction

Antibiotic susceptibility

Genomic analysis

R software

Education

Master's in Microbiology

Degree in Biomedical Sciences or Biology

Tools

Bioinformatics tools

R language

Job description

Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies

Organisation/Company University of Aveiro Department Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 20 Nov 2026 - 17:00 (UTC) 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 tender is hereby opened for the award of 1 Research Grant(s) (RG) under project PLASTICBUG - understanding the role of microplastics in the spread and trophic transfer of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, COMPETE2030-FEDER-00709200 of CESAM, under the following conditions:

• 1. Scientific Area: Microbiology.
• 3. Admission Requirements: Master's Degree in Microbiology
• 4. Other Requirements: Applicants must hold a Degree in Biomedical Sciences or Biology, with a final grade of 16 or above (on a 0–20 scale). Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated research experience in the field of Microbiology, particularly in: microbiological techniques, including the isolation, purification and maintenance of microorganisms; biofilm characterisation; DNA extraction; performance and interpretation of antibiotic susceptibility tests; bacterial sequence and genome analysis; use of bioinformatics tools for the analysis of genomic and/or metagenomic data; and use of R software for data processing, statistical analysis and graphical representation. Experience in the organisation, analysis and interpretation of microbiological and molecular data will also be valued, as will the relevance of the candidate’s previous experience to the activities included in the work plan. Applicants must be available to start the fellowship on 1 January 2027.
• 5. Eligibility: Applicants are eligible if they comply with paragraph a) of no.1 of article 2, of the Research Fellow Statute in the wording given by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of August 28th, and also the provisions of article 9 of the Scientific Research Grant Regulations of the University of Aveiro.
• 6. Work plan: The fellowship holder will join the PLASTICBUG project team and participate in activities aimed at assessing the role of microplastics as vectors of antibiotic-resistant bacteria dissemination and their impact on the microbial communities of plants and aquatic organisms. The work plan will focus on the preparation and monitoring of experimental assays, sample collection and processing, and microbiological and molecular analyses. A central component will involve the bioinformatic analysis of genomic and metagenomic data, including sequence processing and quality control, bacterial genome analysis, taxonomic and functional characterisation of microbial communities, and the identification of genes of interest, particularly those associated with antibiotic resistance and virulence. The fellowship holder will also participate in the statistical analysis and integration of the different datasets, using R and specific bioinformatics tools, as well as in the interpretation, graphical representation and dissemination of the results obtained. The fellowship holder will work in close collaboration with the project partners, contributing to the joint analysis and interpretation of data. The fellowship holder will also participate in dissemination and science communication activities, supporting the preparation of materials and the presentation of key findings to diverse audiences.
• 7. Applicable legislation and regulations: Research Fellow Statute, as amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of August 28th; Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro, Regulation No. 292/2020, published in Diário da República No. 61, Series II, of March 26th; Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16th (Legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions).
• 8. Workplace: The work will be carried out at Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM) and Department of Biology of the University of Aveiro, under the scientific supervision of Professor/Doctor Marta Cristina Oliveira Martins Tacão.
• 9. Duration of the grant(s): The grant duration will be 12 months, starting in january of .2027,, up to the maximum limit of approved funding. Under no circumstances shall it exceed the limits defined in nos. 5 and 6 of article 9, of Regulation no. 292/2020, of February 28th, published in Diário da República, no. 61, Series II, of March 26th (Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro).
• 10. Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the grant corresponds to €1.090,98, according to the table of values of monthly maintenance allowances, set out in Appendix III of the Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro, subject to any updates that may occur and are applicable. The fellow may also be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to the Voluntary Social Security, in case of adherence to this plan.
• 11. Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following: Curriculum Assessment (80%), based on the candidate’s previous experience in the defined scientific area and its relevance to the proposed work plan. Participation in conferences in areas related to the work plan, awards or distinctions received, and participation in advanced training courses will also be valued; Motivation Letter (20%). The Selection Committee reserves the right to interview the three highest-ranked candidates. The interview will last 20 minutes and will be conducted in person. Should interviews be held, the weighting of the selection methods will be as follows: Curriculum Assessment, Motivation Letter and Interview.with the respective value of 60%, 10% and 30%, respectively.
• 12. Composition of the Selection Jury: The Selection Committee will be chaired by Dr Marta Tacão (Assistant Researcher, CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro), with Professor Glória Pinto (Assistant Professor, CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro) and Dr Diana Campos (Level 1 Postdoctoral Researcher, CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro) as full members. The alternate members will be Professor Artur Alves (Associate Professor with Habilitation, CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro) and Dr João Pestana (Assistant Researcher, CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro).
• 14. Form of publication/notification of results: The results of the evaluation shall be made public no later than 60 working days after the closing date for submission of applications and shall be notified to the applicants. The candidates are informed, in a prior hearing, under the terms established in the Code of Administrative Procedure, of the probable meaning of the final decision, and may, within 10 working days of this notification, express their opinion on this decision. The final results may be appealed to the Rector, to be submitted within 10 working days from the respective notification.
• 15. Tender duration: The final ranking list of candidates will be valid until 31-12-2026 for the purpose of constituting a reserve list for selection.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies Country Portugal State/Province Aveiro City Aveiro Postal Code 3810-193 Street Campus Universitário de Santiago Geofield