Scientific Research Fellowship (BIPD) 111/2026

University of Algarve; Portugal; On-site; EUR 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Algarve, Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMar), invites applications for a 12-month postdoctoral grant under the ResilCrops project. The role focuses on microbiology and environmental microbiology with emphasis onMarine macrophytes and pathogenicity testing.

Start January 2027; applications open 05/11/2026 and close 18/11/2026. Candidate requirements include a PhD in Biological Sciences or related field plus demonstrated lab experience in isolation, cultivation and molecular

Qualifications

• PhD in Biological Sciences required.
• Bachelor's or Master's in Microbiology, Marine Biology or related areas.
• Demonstrated research experience in microbiology and environmental microbiology.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of project activities for ResilCrops.
• Isolate and work with microorganisms from marine macrophytes.
• Cultivate marine bacteria for bioactive compounds.
• Molecular identification of microorganisms.
• Conduct pathogenicity assays on plants and prepare reports.

Skills

Research experience in microbiology

Isolation of microorganisms

Cultivation and characterization of/m

Pathogenicity tests on plants

Experience with oomycetes, fungi, and

Education

PhD in Biological Sciences

Bachelor's or Master's in Microbiology or Marine Biology

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Algarve Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 18 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Country Portugal Type of Contract Not Applicable Job Status Not Applicable Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number EAPA_0100/2024- ResilCrops Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

NOTICE NO. 111/2026

COMPETITION FOR THE AWARD OF A GRANT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE RESEARCH GRANT REGULATIONS OFUALG

A competition is open for the award of 1 Bolsa de Investigação Pós-Doutoral within the scope of the R&D project EAPA_0100/2024- ResilCrops-Harnessing Circular Economy to Improve Crop Resilience in the Atlantic Area, financed by “Espaço Atlântico”, at Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMar), Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, under the following conditions:

Scientific Area: Biological Sciences.

Admission Requirements:Hold a PhDin BiologicalSciences or relatedareas. Hold abachelor's, or master'sdegree, in Microbiology,Marine Biology orrelated areas. Demonstrateresearch experience inmicrobiology and/or environmentalmicrobiology. Preference willbe givento candidateswho haveproven experience inthe isolation,cultivation and characterizationof microorganisms,namely oomycetes, fungiand bacteria,associated with marinemacrophytes, and carryingout pathogenicitytests onplants, including theirdesign, execution andevaluation.

Considering the paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 7 of the Research Grants Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology, or paragraph 1 of Article 6of the University of the Algarve’s Research Fellowship Regulations:

1. Postdoctoral research fellowships, hereinafter referred to as BIPD, are intended to support R&D activities carried out by individuals holding a doctoral degree.

2. BIPDs are time-limited in order to encourage scientific employment and the use of researcher contracts as the standard means of hiring, as well as to promote the development, within entities of the national science and technology system, of careers focused on scientific research.

• Project Objectives:The work tobe carriedout consistsof supportingthe implementationof thework foreseenin theproject "ResilCrops: Harnessing CircularEconomy to ImproveCrop Resiliencein theAtlantic Area", namely:
• Collection of marinemacrophytes;
• Isolation of oomycetes,fungi andbacteria from marinemacrophytes;
• Cultivation of marinebacteria for productionof bioactivecompounds;
• Molecular identification of microorganisms;
• Pathogenicity assays onplants using selectedstrains of marinebacteria to testtheir antagonisticactivity against pathogens;
• Participation in thepreparation of reportsand technicaland scientificarticles.

Workplace:The workwill bedeveloped at theFaculty of Scienceand Technologyof theUniversity of Algarve(FCT-UAlg), and theLaboratory of MarineMicrobial Ecology andBiotechnology of theCenter for MarineSciences of theAlgarve, under thedirect scientific supervisionof Dr.Aschwin Hillebrand Engelen.

Duration of grant: The grant will last12months, with the start date scheduled for January 2027. The grant contract may be renewed until the end of the project, according to theResearch Grant Regulations of the University of Algarve ( https://files.dre.pt/2s/2021/10/210000000/0013700149.pdf ).

Candidate evaluation:In accordance withthe provisionsof paragraph2 ofarticle 11 ofthe Regulationof ResearchGrants of theUniversity of Algarve,the evaluationof candidatesfocuses solely onthe followingcriteria: academic background(25%), laboratory experience(40%), preparation ofreports and writingof scientificarticles (35%).

Composition of the Application Evaluation Board: The Application Evaluation Board is composed of three full members and one alternate (all PhD holders):

Publication/Notification of Results: The final evaluation results will be published on the Ualg website, in a list ordered by the final grade obtained, and the successful candidate will be notified via email.

Application Deadline and Submission Method: The competition is open from 05/11/2026 to 18/11/2026.

Applications must be accompanied by the following documents:

• Official identification document (simple copy or legal equivalent). Applicants of non-Portuguese nationality must present a residence permit, permanent residence certificate, or long-term resident status, valid on the scholarship start date. Any of these may be replaced, in its absence, by a declaration of honor by the candidate. However, this must be submitted during the scholarship contracting phase, under penalty of forfeiture of the scholarship award;
• Copy of the qualification certificates for the academic degrees held, specifying the final grade and, if possible, the grades obtained in all courses taken;
• Other documents deemed relevant due to the type and modality of the scholarship.

Documents to be submitted for the scholarship agreement:

• Individual Taxpayer Registry (INV) information, if the applicant is a nationality other than Portuguese, must be submitted during the scholarship agreement process, under penalty of forfeiture of the scholarship award;
• Documents proving that the applicant meets the requirements for the respective type of scholarship, namely, proof of enrollment and registration and the study cycle or course that does not confer an academic degree;
• Declaration of the advisor(s) assuming responsibility for supervising the work plan, in accordance with Article 5-A of the Research Scholarship Statute, as well as guaranteeing the necessary conditions for the successful development of the work and compliance with the duties set forth in Article 13 of the Research Scholarship Statute;

d. Declaration of Commitment to the Exclusive Dedication Regime.

Deadlines and Procedures for Complaints and Appeals:

Candidates may, if they so wish, comment on the draft decision to award the requested scholarship, at a hearing for interested parties within 10 business days, under the terms and for the purposes set forth in Article 121 of the Code of Administrative Procedure.

Candidates have the right to complain to the evaluation panel within 10 business days regarding the commission or omission of any act.

An appeal may be filed against the final decision of the application evaluation panel to the Rector within 10 business days of notification.

After receiving all required documentation, a scholarship contract will be signed with the selected candidate(s) in accordance with the attached template.

Evaluation of Fellow:

At the end of each fellowship contract period, the advisor will evaluate the fellow(s)' work by applying the following criteria, in accordance with the attached template:

a) Researchactivity developed andresults achieved;

b) Demonstratedcritical and innovativecapacity;

c) Abilityto writemanuscripts for publicationand topresent at scientificand technicalmeetings.

The University of Algarve reserves the right to cancel the fellowship award process, within the scope of the Project in question, whenever funding is not awarded or the scholarship duration exceeds the project completion date.

University of Algarve, October 30th, 2026

The Principal Investigator

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Details described in the Basic Information - Offer Description

Specific Requirements

Details described in the Basic Information - Offer Description

Details described in the Basic Information - Offer Description

Eligibility criteria

Details described in the Basic Information - Offer Description

Selection process

Details described in the Basic Information - Offer Description

Additional comments

Details described in the Basic Information - Offer Description